#celestialequator

Jennifer Lynn Bartlett movedBartlettAstro@astrodon.social
2024-12-22

For those who celebrate, may you rejoice in the #WinterSolstice promise of new days.

Today at 4:21 AM US EST, the #Sun reached its point farthest south of the #celestialequator, giving the #northernhemisphere its shortest daylight period.

#winter #solstice #astronomy #calendar
photograph courtesy of birgl via Pixabay

Sunlight shines through a soap bubble that encompasses frost crystals,  photograph courtesy of birgl via Pixabay
Jennifer Lynn Bartlett movedBartlettAstro@astrodon.social
2024-09-22

Today, on the #September #equinox, the #Sun rose due #east and set due #west

At
12:44 UTC
08:44 US EDT

the #Sun crossed the #celestialequator heading #south, beginning of #northernhemispher #autumn (#fall).

#astronomy #calendar #timekeeping #autumnalequinox #septemberequinox
public domain image courtesy of Divad (2010) via Wikimedia Commons

Illustration shows that the two equinoxes occur at intersections of the Sun's apparent path (the ecliptic) and the projection of the Earth's equator on to the sky (the celestial equator) while the solstices occur when the Sun reaches its maximum southern or northern distance from the celestial equator. The fall equinox is also labeled the first point of Libra while the spring equinox is also called the first point of Aries. [public domain image courtesy of Divad (2010) via Wikimedia Commons]
Jennifer Lynn Bartlett movedBartlettAstro@astrodon.social
2024-03-19

For those who celebrate, may you find your #balance in #nature 's balance. Happy #VernalEquinox!

March 20, 2024 03:06 UTC
March 19, 2024 11:06 PM US EDT

The #Sun crosses the #celestialequator heading #north, marking the beginning of northern #Spring. Right ascension, or celestial meridians, are measured eastward from this intersection.

#astronomy #calendar #timekeeping #equinox #season #time

photograph of daffodils pushing up through the soil and on the verge of blooming
The Krononaut Moon Project 🌑KronoMoon@me.dm
2023-06-10

 
Why talk about the #FullMoon nearest to the #VernalEquinox? This calculation for #KrononautMoon is simpler and less dependent on human calendars. It's based on nature — the #Sun crossing the #CelestialEquator from south to north.

A #KrononautMoon will almost always occur between March 6 and April 3. We needn't know what month it is, only when the spring equinox is. Our website (in beta) lists dates thru the next decade, including a #TotalLunarEclipse in 2025.

🔗 KronoMoon.org

Susan A. Kitchenssusankitchens@masto.ai
2023-03-20

“The March equinox is the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator—an imaginary line in the sky above Earth’s equator—from south to north. This happens on March 19, 20, or 21 every year.”

In Los Angeles, California, USA: Monday, March 20, 2023 at 2:24 pm PDT
This corresponds to Monday, March 20, 2023 at 21:24 UTC.

Should I wait 5 more hours before I bid you Happy Spring? Naaaa, we are close enough.

Happy Spring!

#Equinox #Spring #celestialEquator

timeanddate.com/calendar/march

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