What causes equinoxes
Physics
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Answer
Equinoxes occur when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun.
Step-by-step solution
3 stepsThe Earth orbits the Sun on a plane called the ecliptic.
The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees relative to this orbital plane.
Twice a year, around March 20 (vernal equinox) and September 22 (autumnal equinox), the Sun shines directly on the Earth's equator.
At these specific points in Earth's orbit, the tilt of the axis has no effect on the amount of sunlight reaching the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Both hemispheres receive roughly equal amounts of daylight and darkness.
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