The Science Behind the Spring Equinox

It's the first week of spring! Meteorological spring began back on March 1st, but now astronomical spring begins at 6:28AM EDT Monday, March 20th. This time and date is exactly when the sun's direct rays cross the equator line, or the direct rays go from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. On the first day of spring, this process also leads to nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness around the globe.

Throughout the season of spring, daylight becomes longer for the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the United States, until the first day of summer, or the summer solstice, on June 21st. That's when the sun's direct rays reach the Tropic of Cancer. Now you know the science behind the spring equinox!

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