Spring Equinox Is Thursday: Everything You Need to Know

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Welcome to the Arrival of Spring: The Vernal Equinox
Even as winter’s chill lingers in the air, there’s a palpable sense that spring is just around the corner. In places like New Mexico, roadrunners are darting about, trees are beginning to bud, and gardeners are planting lettuce seeds in their raised beds. This year, the vernal equinox—the official start of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere—occurs on March 20. While it might not get the same fanfare as the summer or winter solstices, the equinox is a quiet yet meaningful moment to reflect on the Earth’s journey around the sun. So mark your calendars, grab a friend or two, and embrace the subtle beauty of this seasonal shift.

What is the Vernal Equinox?
The vernal equinox is a fascinating astronomical event that marks the moment when the Northern Hemisphere begins its tilt toward the sun, ushering in longer days. The term “equinox” comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night), reflecting the roughly equal lengths of daylight and darkness on this day. Each year, there are two equinoxes—the vernal equinox in spring and the autumnal equinox in fall. The word “vernal” itself has Latin roots, meaning “of spring.” While the day-to-day changes might feel subtle, the equinox is a powerful reminder of how Earth’s tilt influences our seasons. It’s a time when the planet feels balanced, poised on the brink of a new cycle.

Why Does the Vernal Equinox Happen?
The Earth rotates on its axis, which is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees. This tilt is the reason we experience seasons. During the vernal equinox, the Northern Hemisphere transitions from being tilted away from the sun (during winter) to being tilted toward it (as summer approaches). As Earth orbits the sun, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. On the equinox, the tilt of Earth’s axis is aligned in a way that distributes sunlight almost equally across the globe. “The spring equinox is when the Northern Hemisphere transitions from being pointed away from the sun to being pointed toward it,” explains Emily Rice, an astrophysics professor at the Macaulay Honors College. “The tilt is lined up with Earth’s orbit for just a moment,” she says, which is why we experience nearly equal daylight and night.

Equinoxes vs. Solstices: What’s the Difference?
While equinoxes celebrate balance, solstices mark the extremes. The summer solstice, which falls on June 20 this year, is the longest day of the year, while the winter solstice on December 21 is the shortest. Solstices tend to get more attention because they represent dramatic shifts in daylight. “The extremes are easier to mark and visualize,” says Rice. “The inflection points, like the equinoxes, are more subtle changes, so they get less fanfare.” But all these events—equinoxes and solstices alike—are connected to Earth’s tilt and its orbit around the sun. They’re like milestones on our journey through the seasons, each with its own unique charm.

The Equinox from Space: A Celestial Perspective
It’s not always easy to visualize Earth’s tilt and its effects on the ground. To help us understand, NASA has created a video that shows Earth as seen from space, tracking its seasons over time. The footage reveals how the daylight and darkness shift as our planet orbits the sun. During the equinox, the line between day and night (called the terminator) is perpendicular to the equator, creating that perfect balance of light and dark. It’s a breathtaking reminder of how our planet’s movement affects our daily lives—and how interconnected we are with the cosmos.

How to Celebrate the Vernal Equinox
The spring equinox is a celebration of renewal and growth, but there’s no one “right” way to mark the occasion. You could plant seeds in your garden, clean out your home to make room for the new, or simply spend time outside, soaking in the sun. Some people even try their hand at the infamous egg-balancing myth. According to legend, the equinox is the only day you can balance a raw egg on its end due to Earth’s gravitational alignment. But Rice is quick to debunk this. “Astronomers like me spend every equinox telling people you can balance an egg any day of the year,” she says with a laugh. (As proof, she balanced an egg on February 27.)

The vernal equinox is a subtle but meaningful moment. It’s not about grand celestial events or dramatic changes; it’s about pausing to appreciate the beauty of our planet’s cycles. So take a moment on March 20 to toast the sun, Earth’s tilt, and the magic of spring. Whether you’re sipping coffee on your porch, watching the sunset, or just taking a deep breath, this equinox is a chance to connect with the world around you. After all, as Rice says, the equinox is as good a starting point as any for a new chapter. Let the light of spring inspire you to make it your own.