Autumn Equinox
September 23 · Level 4 · #1416 of 2238
The autumn equinox marks the start of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Sun crosses the celestial equator, daylight and darkness are roughly equal; south of the equator, the same event ushers in spring.
How it is celebrated: people gather for seasonal festivals, harvest celebrations and walks outdoors. Astronomy groups and planetariums explain the changing seasons, while some modern Pagan communities hold rituals of thanks for the harvest.
The name does not promise exactly twelve hours of daylight. Earth's atmosphere bends sunlight, and sunrise and sunset are measured using the Sun's upper edge.