The spring equinox, a celestial phenomenon of great importance, marks the beginning of the spring season in the northern hemisphere. At this time, the Sun is directly over the Earth’s equator, creating unique light and shadow conditions in different regions of the world.
This astronomical event, which occurs twice a year, arouses the curiosity and admiration of many people, as it symbolizes the rebirth of nature and the beginning of a new stage of growth and renewal.
In 2024, the spring equinox occurred on March 20. The Northern Hemisphere will experience more exposure to direct sunlight than any other day of the year, marking the beginning of spring in this part of the world. In Spain the entry into the flower season occurred at 4:06 a.m.
The word “equinox” comes from the Latin “aequinoctium”, a term that translates , literally, as “equal night”, which alludes to the fact that on that day, the length of day and night are practically the same everywhere in the world.
But what exactly causes the spring equinox? The explanation lies in the inclination of the Earth’s axis of rotation in relation to its orbit around the Sun. With an inclination angle of approximately 23.5 degrees, this phenomenon is responsible for the alternation of seasons and changes in the amount of sunlight that reaches different parts of the world at different times of the year.
At the spring equinox, the Earth’s axis adopts a position such that the Sun is located directly above the Earth’s equator. This alignment means that the sun’s rays fall perpendicularly on the Earth’s surface in this area, thus generating a homogeneous distribution of light and darkness throughout the day. Consequently, during this period, the length of day and night becomes practically equal throughout the planet.
This spring equinox also has important astronomical implications. During this period, for example, the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic, the Sun’s apparent path in the sky, causing the Sun to rise exactly in the east and set exactly in the west everywhere on Earth. .
