AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

September 22

Autumnal EquinoxFall begins with the equinox today, at 11:09 P.M. (Eastern Time). The autumnal equinox is defined as the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from north to south.

The celestial equator is the circle in the celestial sphere halfway between the celestial poles. It can be thought of as the plane of Earth’s equator projected out onto the sphere. The word equinox means “equal night,” when night and day are of the same duration.

September 22—

Harvest HomeIn Europe, the conclusion of the harvest was once marked by festivals of fun, feasting, and thanksgiving known as “Harvest Home.”It was also a time to hold elections, pay workers, and collect rents. These festivals usually took place around the time of the autumnal equinox.