In 2025, the autumn equinox will not fall on September 21, as we often believe. The change of season will take place another day of the month, and this gap has a very precise explanation.
L’fall equinoxalso called September equinoxis an astronomical phenomenon observed since Antiquity and described by the first Greek astronomers. In the northern hemisphere, this event marks the beginning of autumn. Its date varies each year, because the civil calendar is not perfectly aligned with the solar year: the equinox can thus fall between September 21 and 24.
What date does the fall equinox take place in 2025?
In 2025, according to the Institute of Celestial Mechanics and Calculation of ephemeris, The fall equinox will occur on September 22 at 8:19 p.m. (Paris time). This event marks the start of the fall season, which will then continue to the winter solstice.
What time does the fall equinox occur precisely this year?
According to the IMCCE calculations, The fall equinox should occur at 6:19 p.m. UTC. To determine this hour with precision, astronomers use ephemeris, calculations taking into account the position of the earth and the sun, the aberration effects (the apparent movement due to the movement of the earth), as well as the movement of the celestial pole.
What does the equinox mean?
The equinox term comes from Latin æquinoctium that thewe can translate by “”equal “and” night “. From an astronomical point of view, the autumn equinox occurs when the sun reaches the intersection between the vertical of the equator and the celestial sphere. At that time, the two hemispheres (north and south) are lit by the sun equally. THE day and night have the same duration For all the inhabitants of the earth, they each last 12 hours.
In some old cultures or beliefs, Holidays and rituals are organized for the fall equinox. One of the best known is the Mabon Sabbath. Among the Celtic people, it is a major celebration of the year which is linked to the harvests and the last harvests of the year. The key word during this celebration is “gratitude”. The idea is to thank the mother nature for the abundance of harvests but also for all the work that has been done. For this, families and loved ones have the custom of share a good meal All together, concocted with harvested products. Some can also ride a ride in nature To celebrate the change of season. Still others take the opportunity to purify the interior of their house and make a big cleaning.