What is the Difference Between Equinox and Solstice

What is Spring Equinox and Fall Equinox

Equinoxes and solstices are reasons why seasons change on our planet. Solstice is an opposite phenomenon of equinox. Our planet revolves around the Sun and the axis remains slightly tilted during the revolution. Due to this different parts of our planet receive different amount of sunlight during different times of the year. This post will tell you above spring equinox 2021 also known as the first day of spring and fall equinox. 

If our planet is not tilted on its axis, we will always see the Sun above the equator. There would be fixed amount of sunlight throughout the year without any change. But the tilt of the earth results in different seasons as the path of the sun crosses equator. There are two equinoxes and solstices in a year. They occur whenever the Sun is at its Farthest from south or north from the line of equator.

What are The Longest and Shortest Days of Year

When the north pole is tilted at its closest point to the Sun, summer starts in northern hemisphere. At this point, the south pole is tilted at its farthest point and it results in winter in Southern hemisphere. This creates opposite seasons in northern and southern hemisphere of the planet. The solstices happen in June and December and they are known as summer solstice and winter solstice.

The winter solstice makes the shortest day in a year and summer solstice makes the longest day of the year. The opposite positions of the north pole and south pole in relation to the sun's position at the equator result in different weathers. When the northern hemisphere is witnessing, winter, the southern hemisphere is experiencing summer.

Equinoxes occur when the Sun is right above the equator making the day and night equal in length. This happens twice in a year and known as spring or vernal equinox and fall or autumn equinox. Fall equinox happens around 21^st to 23^rd September and spring equinox happens on 20^th or 21^st March. This year, it happens on 20^th March and 21^st March in different time zones.

When the Sun is right above the equator or at its farthest or closest points from the tilt of the earth, the change in seasons takes place. Spring equinox is called the first day of spring and the fall equinox is known as the first day of autumn.