First day of Spring 2017: Interesting facts about the vernal equinox
Aguide to what the spring equinox means and how you can make the most of it.
When did spring start then?
The astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere began on Monday, March 20 and will end on Wednesday, June 21.
The spring (vernal) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is also known as the March equinox. It's called the "autumnal (fall) equinox" in the Southern Hemisphere.
The March equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from south to north. This happens on March 19, 20 or 21 every year.
Why is it called the spring 'equinox'?
Since night and day are nearly exactly the same length – 12 hours – all over the world the event is called the equinox, which in Latin, literally means 'equal night' (equi – equal, and nox – night).
In reality though, equinoxes do not have exactly 12 hours of daylight. Solstices and equinoxes mark key stages in the astronomical cycle of the earth. In a year there are two equinoxes (spring and autumn) and two solstices (summer and winter).
The dates of the equinoxes and solstices aren't fixed due to the Earth's elliptical orbit of the sun. The Earth's orbit around the sun means that in early January, the sun is closest (known as perihelion) and in early July it is most distant (aphelion).
We use the equinox to mark the change of seasons, as the balance of light shifts to make for longer days or nights. It usually means that it's time to hunker down for colder seasons, or time to rise and shine for warmer ones.
You may also notice that on the equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west, whereas at other times in the year, it appears off-centre if you're facing those directions.
What happens on an equinox?
The Earth's axis always tilts at an angle of about 23.5° in relation to the ecliptic, i.e the imaginary plane created by the Earth's orbit around the Sun. On any other day of the year, either the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere tilts a little towards the Sun but on the two equinoxes, the tilt of the Earth's axis is perpendicular to the Sun's rays.
The equinox happens at exactly the same time around the world
The equinox occurs at the exact moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s Equator – from south to north. At this moment, the Earth's axis is neither tilted away from nor towards the Sun. In 2017, this happens at 10.20am UTC (GMT).
It is also International happiness day...
What is International Happiness Day?
International Happiness Day is a holiday created by the United Nations to remind people across the globe, the importance of striving towards being happy.
The idea behind the day is that society’s progress should not just be measured by a growing economy, but also by how content people are.
It came after all 193 member states of the UN adopted a resolution for the well-being of people to be given a greater priority.
The day is run by Action for Happiness whose mission statement is: “I will try to create more happiness in the world around me.”
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International Happiness Day 2017 is being celebrated on March 20 and is held on the same day every year.
The first International Happiness Day was marked in 2013 after the first ever UN conference on happiness took place the previous year.
At that conference, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that declared the day would be marked every year on March 20.
Each year, International Happiness Day has a theme and these have included relationships and reclaiming happiness.
In 2017, the theme of International Happiness Day is the ’10 steps to happiness’.
How is the Dalai Lama involved?
The Dalai Lama is a supporter of International Happiness Day and is also patron of the Action for Happiness Course.
The course is available on the Action for Happiness website, and helps people to remember the positives when times get tough.
However, it is not the first time His Holiness has spoken out about happiness.
The spiritual leader has previously said: “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
What are some of the best quotes on happiness?
Many authors, philosophers and business people have shared their wisdom about being happy.
One much loved quote is from author Dr Seuss, who once said: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Fellow children’s author Roald Dahl wrote in his book The Twits: “If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”
While writer Roy T. Bennett once said: “If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present.”
And iconic designer Christian Dior once said about beauty: “Happiness is the secret to all beauty. There is no beauty without happiness.”
Today is a National holiday here to celebrate this gentleman's birthday!!!President Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez was an important Mexican liberal during the time of the U.S.-Mexican War, and emerged as one of the nation’s most important figures in the Nineteenth Century. A Zapotec Indian from Oaxaca, Juárez was born into a peasant family in 1806. By 1831, Juárez was a lawyer and an active liberal politician at the city and state level. When ValentÃn Gomez Farias became president of Mexico in 1846, Juárez went to Congress and supported a wave of liberal reforms designed to bolster Mexico’s efforts in the U.S.-Mexican War, but that eventually failed and triggered a conservative revolt.
As the war wound down, Juárez returned to Oaxaca as governor, advocated a protracted guerilla war against the United States, opposed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and refused to grant General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna asylum when his government collapsed. In 1853, the dictator returned to exact his revenge, and Juárez fled to New Orleans.
He returned to Mexico in 1855, and became the nation’s president two years later. From 1857 to 1872, Juárez successfully defended his government against Conservative opponents in the War of the Reform, and defended his nation against the French-back monarchists under Emperor Maximillian I. He emerged as one of the truly great men of Mexican history, and died in office from a heart attack in 1872.
Even though I do miss Little Blackie I am enjoying walking everywhere and these are some of the sights I enjoyed this morning!!!
This guy is a tad eccentric but he always dresses his car up for whatever season and you can now see he is ready for Easter!!
I then walked up to the miridor(lookout) for a panoramic view of the city with the gorgeous jacaranda trees in full bloom!!!
and a close up.....
On my smart phone which I am happy to tell is getting smarter or maybe that is me!!! I have downloaded an App called tracks and I like it very much
shows the route I walked and the figures!!
Where I park Little Bluey the owner has sold the lot so I have to move and my friend Carolyn offered for me to keep her in her garage till I leave..Carolyn is renting her house and the renters do not have a car so it is perfect thanks!!!
This is the courtyard outside her casa, pretty nice!!!
Steve sent me this photo of the party on Sunday I did not know I was on camera but see how affectionate I can be!!!!
Yashi Kochi!!!
Even though I do miss Little Blackie I am enjoying walking everywhere and these are some of the sights I enjoyed this morning!!!
This is the courtyard outside her casa, pretty nice!!!
Steve sent me this photo of the party on Sunday I did not know I was on camera but see how affectionate I can be!!!!
Yashi Kochi!!!
3 comments:
What beautiful trees and the courtyard is lovely.
sure is a great time of the year cheers
Ha ha ha Les. ! "See how affectionate I can be"....? See how FUNNY you can be. ! You're a funny guy. ! Love the photo of the house you always pass on the scooter. Really beautiful.
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