March equinox facts for kids

Illumination of Earth by the Sun on the day of an equinox

The March equinox is a special moment for Earth. It happens when the Sun appears to move from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. Imagine a line around the middle of Earth, called the celestial equator. At the March equinox, the Sun crosses this line, heading north.

In the Northern Hemisphere, this equinox is known as the vernal equinox or spring equinox. It marks the start of spring and the end of winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's called the autumnal equinox, marking the start of autumn and the end of summer.

On our Gregorian calendar, the March equinox usually happens around 20 March. It can sometimes be on 19 March or 21 March. This date is important for many calendars and celebrations around the world.

What Happens During the Equinox?

Chichen Itza during the spring equinox—Kukulkan, the famous descent of the snake

During an equinox, something cool happens: the amount of daylight and nighttime is almost exactly equal across most places on Earth. This is why it's called "equinox," which means "equal night."

When the Sun rises on an equinox day, it appears directly in the east. When it sets, it goes down directly in the west.

Our Earth's atmosphere can bend light rays. This means we can see the Sun even when it's just below the horizon. Also, the Sun looks like a big disk, not just a tiny point of light. Because of these things, sunrise and sunset actually last a few minutes longer than if the Sun were just a tiny point.

At the North and South Poles, the Sun seems to move around the horizon. It stays just above the horizon, not really rising or setting much as the equinox passes.

Constellations and the Equinox

The point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator going north is called the First Point of Aries. Long ago, this point was in the Aries constellation.

However, Earth's axis slowly wobbles, like a spinning top that's slowing down. This wobble is called the precession of the equinoxes. Because of this wobble, the First Point of Aries has moved. It is now in the Pisces constellation. By the year 2597, it will move into the Aquarius constellation. This slow movement means the equinox point shifts across the sky over thousands of years.

Cultural Celebrations and Calendars

The March equinox is a very important time for many cultures and religions around the world. It often marks the start of a new year or special festivals.

Ancient Calendars

• The ancient Babylonian calendar started its year with the first new moon after the March equinox. This was linked to a ceremony for the goddess Inanna.
• The Persian calendar still begins its year at the northward equinox. This is carefully observed in Tehran.
• The Indian national calendar also starts its year on the day after the vernal equinox, usually on 22 March.

Christian Traditions

In many Christian Churches, the March equinox helps decide the date of Easter. Easter is usually the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox. The official church date for the equinox is 21 March. Different Christian groups use different calendars (Julian or Gregorian), so Easter can sometimes fall on different days for them.

Iranian New Year: Nowruz

Bas-relief in Persepolis, a symbol of Iranian Nowruz: a bull (symbolizing the Earth) and lion (the Sun) in eternal combat are equal in power on the equinox.

The northward equinox marks the first day of the Iranian calendar. The ancient Iranian new year festival is called Nowruz. It is celebrated on 20 or 21 March. This holiday is also celebrated by Turkic people, in the North Caucasus, and in Albania. It's also important for Zoroastrians and followers of the Baháʼí Faith.

Other Celebrations

• In many Arab countries, Mother's Day is celebrated on the northward equinox.
• In Japan, Vernal Equinox Day (Shunbun no hi) is a national holiday. People often visit family graves and have family reunions.
• World Storytelling Day is a global event celebrating storytelling, held every year on the day of the northward equinox.
• In Annapolis, Maryland, USA, people celebrate the spring equinox with a fun tradition called the "Burning of the Socks" festival. This marks the end of winter and the start of warmer weather for boating.
• Some modern pagan groups celebrate the March equinox as Ostara, a time of new beginnings.

Images for kids

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  Bas-relief in Persepolis, a symbol of Iranian Nowruz: a bull (symbolizing the Earth) and lion (the Sun) in eternal combat are equal in power on the equinox.

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  Chichen Itza during the spring equinox—Kukulkan, the famous descent of the snake

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  Equinox at the site of Pizzo Vento, Fondachelli Fantina, Sicily

See also

In Spanish: Equinoccio de marzo para niños