Spring equinox tomorrow

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Mar 19 2013 | 5:40 PM IST
Science enthusiasts will measure the shortest shadow at noon tomorrow on the equinox day, when the Sun shines directly overhead as viewed from the Earth, making the night and day equally long.
Equinox occurs twice a year (around March 20 and September 22) when the day and night have approximately equal length. The name equinox is derived from Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night).
In Delhi, an NGO, SPACE (Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators) will encourage school students and science enthusiasts to observe the equinox day by conducting various experiments using sundial at Bara Pullah here.
Under the NGO's 'Project Paridhi: Measure the Earth Again', students will take actual measurements of the shadows made by the Sun to compute the size of the Earth and its shape as was done centuries ago by Greek astronomer Eratosthenes, the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth.
"The Project Paridhi will help in calculating the circumference of our planet using shadows of the Sun, backyard tools and simple trigonometry and geometry concepts, SPACE Director C B Devgun said.
On the equinox day, the Sun moves across the celestial equator, which lies directly above the Earth's equator. During the crossing, the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west.
The exact time of the equinoxes are not fixed but fall about six hours later every year, amounting to one full day in four years which in turn makes a leap year, Devgun said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 19 2013 | 5:40 PM IST

Next Story