Exact time Autumn Equinox will take place tomorrow as night and day become equal
The crispness in the air and the leaves turning from green to brown signal that summer has drawn to a close. Now, the much-anticipated Autumn Equinox is upon us, occurring tomorrow (September 22) at precisely 12.44pm GMT (1.44pm BST).
This event heralds the official arrival of autumn in the northern hemisphere, with day and night poised to be nearly equal in duration. Royal Museums Greenwich sheds light on this phenomenon: "The Earth is tilted on its axis. This means that the Sun illuminates the northern or southern hemisphere more depending on where the Earth is along its orbit."
"However, at two points in the year the Sun will illuminate the northern and southern hemispheres equally. These are known as the equinoxes."
As the observatory suggests, the progression of our seasons is largely influenced by the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
Equinoxes, which usher in Spring and Autumn, happen when the Sun shines equally on both hemispheres. In contrast, solstices occur when the Earth is most inclined towards or away from the Sun, signalling the start of Summer and Winter.
It is believed that these celestial patterns were keenly observed by our ancestors, who were adept at reading the signs of nature.
When using the Sun to calculate time, they noticed these changes, giving rise to the way we view seasons today. The Autumn Equinox is a time of celebration in many cultures too. In 2019, hundreds of brave Brits gathered for a mass skinny dip in the sea during the equinox, while others may typically light bonfires or candles.
While the Autumn Equinox is typically the point at which day and night are approximately 12 hours each, this won't be the case for the UK. This is primarily because sunlight is refracted by our atmosphere, according to the BBC, meaning that light will appear before the Sun has actually risen.
Consequently, the report suggests we'll enjoy a few additional minutes of light after the Sun has set. Once the Autumn Equinox passes, the UK will see much darker nights, so it's essential to make the most of it while you can.
The clocks are scheduled to go back on October 27 and, despite giving us an extra hour in bed, it's a clear indication that Winter is undoubtedly on its way.
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