![]() ![]() Similarly, for an observer on the South Pole, the Sun reaches the highest position on the December solstice day. The day this occurs is called the June solstice day. The word solstice is derived from the Latin sol ("sun") and sistere ("to stand still"), because at the solstices, the Sun's declination appears to "stand still" that is, the seasonal movement of the Sun's daily path (as seen from Earth) pauses at a northern or southern limit before reversing direction.ĭefinitions and frames of reference įor an observer at the North Pole, the Sun reaches the highest position in the sky once a year in June. Alternative terms, with no ambiguity as to which hemisphere is the context, are " June solstice" and " December solstice", referring to the months in which they take place every year. The day of a solstice in either hemisphere has either the most sunlight of the year ( summer solstice) or the least sunlight of the year ( winter solstice) for any place other than the Equator. The term solstice can also be used in a broader sense, as the day when this occurs. In many countries, the seasons of the year are determined by the solstices and the equinoxes. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21. It is a Latin word that means ‘stalled sun’.Equinoxes and solstices on Earth eventĪ solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. ![]() These effects can last anywhere between a few minutes and an hour. One notable effect of an equinox is that on days surrounding an equinox, the sun is directly behind the earth, causing the high energy to disable and overload geostationary satellite reception circuits. This implies that the equinox is the time of year when the sun’s rays fall directly on the equatorial plane. This is also why, during an equinox, the sun appears to rise at one rotational pole of the Earth and set at the opposite rotational pole for an observer. The equinoxes are the times of the year when the sun shines equally in both hemispheres of the earth. The autumn season begins with the southward equinox. In most parts of the world, the northward equinox marks the start of spring and is celebrated as the new year on the Hindu, Persian, and Iranian calendars. A Northward equinox, as the name implies, occurs when the Celestial equator is crossed by the solar declination in the northward direction and vice versa. Without regard for the hemispheres, the generic names for both equinoxes are Northward equinox and Southward equinox. The equinox date can change due to a variety of factors, including the leap year. In the case of the southern hemisphere, the opposite is true. The vernal equinox occurs in the Northern Hemisphere in March, while the autumnal equinox occurs in September. An equinox occurs when the plane of the earth’s equator passes directly through the geometric plane of the sun, implying that the centre of the visible portion of the sun falls directly over the equator. The Dates of Equinox are on March 20 and September 23. The Equinox is the time of year when the day and night are equal. Solstices and Equinoxes Diagramīelow are the diagrams of Solstices and Equinoxes: Solstices and Equinoxes Equinox Meaning 23rd of September is the Autumn Equinox while the 21st of March is Spring Equinox. This event is called equinox- meaning equal night. Neither the North Pole nor the South Pole is tilted towards the Sun, as a result of which, all the places on earth experience equal days and equal nights. The equator receives direct sunlight on March 21st and September 23rd. This event is called the Winter Solstice. The sun doesn’t set below the horizon at the Antarctic Circle. ![]() The sun’s rays fall vertically at the Tropic of Capricorn. On 22nd December, the Tropic of Capricorn receives direct rays of the sun as the South Pole is tilted toward the sun. This event is called the Summer Solstice. At the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets below the horizon. The northern hemisphere has the longest day on this day. For every place, above the Tropic of Cancer, the sun is at the highest point in the sky. On 21 st June, the Sun is vertical over the Tropic of Cancer. There would also be no need to mark the equinoxes or solstices. If the Earth were not tilted, the Sun would always appear directly above the Equator, the amount of light received at any given location would be constant, and there would be no seasons. This means that at different times of the year, different parts of the Earth receive more or less sunlight. Seasons change on Earth because the planet is slightly tilted on its axis as it orbits the Sun. The earth’s seasons are caused by equinoxes and solstices. Difference Between Solstices and EquinoxesĪ solstice and equinox are diametrically opposed.UPSC Geo Scientist Eligibility Criteria.UPSC EPFO Previous Year Question Papers. ![]()
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