The official start of spring is just around the corner.

On Tuesday, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the vernal equinox which signifies the beginning of the spring season.

What exactly does this signify? Here’s the information on how we divide the year based on Earth’s orbit.

Can you explain what the equinox is?

The planet orbits the sun at an angle as it revolves around it.

Throughout the majority of the year, the Earth’s axis is either tilted towards or away from the sun. This results in unequal distribution of the sun’s warmth and light on the northern and southern hemispheres of the globe.

During the equinox, both hemispheres of the Earth receive an equal amount of sunlight as the axis and orbit align.

The term “equinox” is derived from the Latin words “aequus” and “nox” which mean equal and night, respectively. This is due to the fact that during the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal, with minor variations depending on one’s location on Earth.

The beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, known as the vernal equinox, can occur anytime between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Similarly, the start of autumn, or the autumnal equinox, can happen between September 21 and 24.

Can you explain what the solstice is?

The solstices occur when the Earth is tilted the most towards or away from the sun, creating varying amounts of sunlight and unequal lengths of day and night in different hemispheres.

In the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere, the top portion of the earth is angled towards the sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year. This occurrence typically happens between June 20 and 22, known as the summer solstice.

During the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year. This event occurs between December 20 and 23.

What distinguishes meteorological seasons from astronomical seasons?

There are two distinct methods of dividing the year.

The seasons of weather are known as meteorological seasons. They divide the year into three-month segments based on the regular changes in temperature. According to this schedule, spring begins on March 1 in the Northern Hemisphere, followed by summer on June 1, fall on September 1, and winter on December 1.

The position of the Earth in relation to the sun determines the astrological seasons. The equinoxes signify the beginning of spring and autumn, while the solstices mark the start of summer and winter.