The Vernal Equinox is just around the corner, marking the official start of Spring. Jasmine and Chrissy from NIU STEAM are the hosts of The Sound of Science on WNIJ, and they have been discussing the significance of this astronomical event in their recent episode.
While some may believe that Puxatawny Phil’s shadow sighting is a determining factor for the arrival of Spring, Jasmine and Chrissy explain that it is not entirely accurate. Instead, it is Earth’s position within its orbit around the Sun that plays a crucial role in determining the seasons.
The Earth’s tilt at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees causes different hemispheres to experience different seasons. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences Summer, and when tilted away, it experiences Winter. This tilt also affects the amount of daylight we see on a given day.
On March 20th this year, the Vernal Equinox will occur, marking the official start of Spring. This equinox is when the Earth’s axis is neither tilted towards nor away from the Sun, resulting in approximately equal amounts of daylight and nighttime. The effects of the tilt will lead to a warming trend in the Northern hemisphere, signaling the transition to Summer.
While meteorological effects can vary depending on climate and regional geography, Jasmine and Chrissy remind listeners that globally recognized as an official start to Spring season. Tune into The Sound of Science on WNIJ for more interesting facts and new learnings every day!
