Illustration of Earth's position in relation to the Sun's rays at the September equinox (Illustration is not to scale)
There are two equinoxes every year – in September and March – when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal.
Seasons are opposite on either side of the Equator, so the equinox in September is also known as the autumnal (fall) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and is considered the first day of fall.
In the Southern Hemisphere, it is known as the vernal (spring) equinox and marks the first day of spring.
read more
Earth orbits the Sun at a slant, which is why equinoxes and solstices happen
