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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy is Monday considered spring? The vernal equinox, explained
'Here in the northern hemisphere, spring in the form of the vernal equinox is scheduled to start Monday at 6:29 a.m. Although theres still snow on the ground and cold weather in the forecast, one cant deny the new season has arrived.
Meteorologists start spring after the coldest 90 days of the year, so we began it on March 1st. But astronomical spring arrives when the sun reaches a certain height over the equatoreach year. This is typically what most folks celebrate as springs arrival.
While nearly everyone knows spring arrives around March 20, whats actually occurring in terms of the relationship between the earth and the sun still isnt universally understood.
On both the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun will be directly overhead at noon at some place along the equator of our planet. This year, the first of these two occurrences happens at 6:29 a.m Eastern Standard Time on March 20. Basically, if you were in central Africa and looked up at noon, the sun would be directly above your head, forming a 90-degree angle with the ground. On Friday, Sept. 22, at 4:02 p.m., the same thing will occur at a different spot along the equator to begin the fall season.'>>>
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/03/19/why-monday-considered-spring-the-vernal-equinox-explained/4QpSoRlVS2I3KMlAofZcII/story.html
PSPS
(13,594 posts)Um, yes it is. Did this guy get a "degree" from "Liberty Astronomical University?"
WheelWalker
(8,955 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)It's just a theory, the jury is still out
ProfessorGAC
(65,010 posts). . .universally known would mean everybody, and there are those who don't know it or don't care to know it.
I get what you're saying though. Like you, i sure knew this.
NutmegYankee
(16,199 posts)Blue_Warrior
(135 posts)Go ask 20 random people what the "first day of spring" means and I bet you get 5 who know what's actually happening.