1. The vernal equinox is when the sun moves across the celestial equator and as such, there should ideally be 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. 2. The vernal equinox takes place on March 20 or 21 each year and is the indicator of the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. 3. Ever wonder why the spring boasts warmer temperatures? Because the Earths axis is tilted towards the sun, which means longer daylight hours and warmer weather. 4. The term equinox is a derivative of the Latin word equinoxium, which literally means equality between day and night. 5. The holiday Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This year, Easter is on Sunday, April 20. 6. The vernal equinox may take place once a year, but there are two equinoxs each year: one in March and one in September. During the two equinoxs the sun rises east and sets west. 7. The ancient Egyptians built the Great Sphinx of Giza on the west bank of the Nile to directly face the rising sun on the vernal equinox. 8. The Mayan city Chichen Itza has been the celebratory site for The Return of the Sun Serpent since ancient times on the spring equinox. The sun, when it sets, creates a triangular shadow on the El Castillo pyramid which creates the image of a descending snake that’s said to be the feather serpent god Kukulkan.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 11:35:20 +0000
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