March 20, 2007, is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. As spring begins, examine some myths related to the equinox.
It's that time again. After an erratic winter, with a warm January causing flowering of trees and the eruption of underground bulbs in northern states, to a snowy February and March, with homes having snow up to their windows and beyond, the promise of spring has arrived.
For the year 2007, the first day of spring comes on March 20 at 7:07 p.m. EST. The Southern Hemisphere welcomes fall as we welcome spring. The Earth is tilting so that for the next six months, the majority of the sun's light will give its longest and most direct rays to the northern half of Earth. The word equinox derives from the French and means "equal night". You will often hear that days and nights are equal on the equinox, only they're not. They're close. Check the sunrise and sunset times for where you live to find the exact point of equality for you.
The equinox occurs when the center of the sun crosses over Earth's equator. But because A) the sun is not a tiny point and B) the Earth has an atmosphere, these two things work together to create longer daylight than night at the equinox. The sun's edge (not its center) appears over the horizon to mark sunrise (and the reverse for sunset) and the Earth's atmosphere refracts those rays, making the sun appear a bit higher in the sky than it is (and therefore a bit longer a day seems).
Another myth about the equinox is that you can balance an egg on this day and no other. This is easy enough to test for yourself. If you are able to balance an egg on March 20, try again on the 21, and every day after, if you wish. There should be absolutely no difference in your abilities. (Maybe the spring equinox and the egg myth has something to do with the Easter bunny?)
Spring ushers in new constellations to our night sky. Leo, Virgo, Hydra, Bootes, Libra, Ophiuchus, Corona Borealis and Hercules greet observers. The spring galaxies also take center stage, appearing between Virgo, Leo and Ursa Major. As the weather gets warm and spring is ushered in, get out and look for yourself!
