Solstice an Equinox

Front

What is a solstice?

Back

A solstice is an event that occurs twice a year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, resulting in the longest and shortest days of the year.

Front

What is an equinox?

Back

An equinox is an event that occurs twice a year when day and night are approximately equal in length, marking the beginning of spring and autumn.

Front

What happens during the winter solstice?

Back

During the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Front

What happens during the summer solstice?

Back

During the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted closest to the sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year.

Front

What is the significance of the equator?

Back

The equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and is the point where the sun is directly overhead at noon during the equinoxes.

Front

What is the autumnal equinox?

Back

The autumnal equinox occurs around September 22 or 23 and marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

Front

What is the vernal equinox?

Back

The vernal equinox occurs around March 20 or 21 and marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Front

Where do you experience 24 hours of daylight?

Back

You can experience 24 hours of daylight at the poles during the summer months.

Front

Where do you experience 24 hours of darkness?

Back

You can experience 24 hours of darkness at the poles during the winter months.

Front

What is the relationship between solstices and equinoxes?

Back

Solstices and equinoxes are both astronomical events that mark changes in seasons, with solstices indicating the extremes of daylight and equinoxes indicating balance.