Overview

• The equinox occurs Monday, ushering in fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
• On the equator the sun stands directly overhead at noon, and both poles receive daylight at the same time only on an equinox.
• Day and night are close to equal, though most locations see a few extra minutes of daylight depending on where they are.
• Astronomical seasons are set by Earth’s position relative to the sun, whereas meteorological seasons follow fixed three‑month blocks.
• Antarctica, New Zealand and a small part of Australia may catch a partial lunar eclipse on their Monday.