September Equinox Marks Seasonal Shift and Potential for Intense Northern Lights
Today, the sun crosses the celestial equator, bringing autumn to the Northern Hemisphere and spring to the Southern Hemisphere, with increased aurora activity expected.
- The September equinox occurs at 12:44 UTC, signifying the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
- On the equinox, the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night worldwide.
- Earth's axial tilt causes the equinoxes and solstices, influencing the distribution of sunlight and marking the transition between seasons.
- The alignment of Earth's and the sun's magnetic fields during the equinox can lead to more intense geomagnetic storms, enhancing aurora displays.
- Despite the term 'equinox' suggesting equal day and night, atmospheric refraction and the definition of sunrise and sunset result in slightly longer daylight hours.