Monday 23 rd September 2019.... a good day to end the summer!!!

Today is the last day of summer, boy it went by so fast for me!!

In 2019, the autumnal equinox—also called the September equinox or fall equinox—is Monday. On this day, fall begins in the Northern Hemisphere and spring begins in the Southern Hemisphere. Wondering why it’s called an equinox? Here’s all you need to know.

WHEN IS THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX?

In 2019, the autumnal equinox occurs on Monday, September 23 at 07:50 UTC. The equinox occurs at the same moment worldwide; your clock time depends on your time zone.

WHAT IS THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX?

Autumn days come quickly, like the running of a hound on the moor.

–Irish proverb

The autumnal equinox—also called the September or fall equinox—is the astronomical start of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere and the spring season in the Southern Hemisphere.

WHAT IS AN EQUINOX?

The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, “night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in terms of length. (See more about this below.)

During the equinox, the Sun crosses what we call the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension into space of Earth’s equator line. The equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s center passes through this line. When the Sun crosses the equator from north to south, this marks the autumnal equinox; when it crosses from south to north, this marks the vernal equinox.

After the autumnal equinox, the sun is rising later and nightfall comes sooner. This ends with the December solstice, when days start to grow longer and nights shorter.

FALL WEATHER

Another definition of fall is “nights of below-freezing temperatures combined with days of temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21°C)”. From here on out, the temperatures begin to drop.

Will fall bring crisp, cool weather—or, unseasonably warm weather? It depends on where you live! Find out the forecast for your area in The Old Farmer’s Almanac!

Fall Foliage

Note that fall foliage isn’t due to current weather conditions. This is a common misconception. Leaves change color because of the amount of daylight and photosynthesis. Learn more about autumn leaves.

FALL EQUINOX FAQS

Q: ARE DAY AND NIGHT PERFECTLY EQUAL ON THE EQUINOX?

A:  As say that during an equinox, day and night is equal. Well, not exactly. It depends where you live.

On the equinox, the center of the Sun is indeed above the horizon for 12 hours. However, “sunrise” is said to begin when the upper edge of the Sun’s disk becomes visible above the horizon (which happens a bit before the center rises) and ends when the entire Sun has set. In this case, daylight is still a bit longer than nighttime. 

Not only that, but the Sun is actually visible when it is below the horizon, as Earth’s atmosphere refracts the Sun’s rays and bends them in an arc over the horizon. Yes, you can see the Sun before the edge actually reaches the horizon! This causes daylight to be longer than 12 hours as well.

However, they are very close to equal (the lengths may be off by only a few minutes). 

Did you know our rise/set tool now provides day length? In Dublin, New Hampshire—home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac—our day length on the equinox is 12:08 hours.

Q: IS THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX REALLY THE FIRST DAY OF FALL?

A: Based on the astronomical definition of seasons, yes, the autumnal equinox does mark the first day of fall (in the Northern Hemisphere). However, according to the meteorological definition of seasons, which is based on temperature cycles and the Gregorian calendar, the first day of fall is September 1.

Q: CAN YOU BALANCE AN EGG ON THE EQUINOX?

A: There’s an old-wife’s tale that you can stand an egg on its end of the equinox. Well, yes, it’s true (and fun to try). But it’s not only on the equinox. 

Again good news for me Aaron was able to get a time slot of 10.30am this morning for my gym session which is so much better than 4.30pm as I have to dash to class right after.

So the morning session was good, the gym is a little busier at that time but it was another hard session which I am thankful for...afterwards!!!!!

Then went into town paid my rent, bought some groceries, went to my little hole in the wall barber and my lovely young lady gave me a great haircut and a shave..wait for it....for 40 pesos!!!!   Of course a really good tip and I was home for an enjoyable afternoon consisting of reading, working on the iPad, lounging upstairs on the roof , planning my lesson for tonight and having a light lunch!

All my students showed up and for homework assignment they had to come to the front of the class and tell about their weekend, some great stories and each time I see more confidence in them talking in front of the class.

Then I paired them up and gave them ten minutes and they had to interview their partner and find out three things about them that we did not already know.

Then each one took turns coming to the front and telling the rest of the class about their partner, this also went down really well.

The class goes by so quickly and I am really enjoying this class all so eager and talented!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!!