The Vernal Equinox
The spring equinox occurs today at 12:58 p.m. EST. I'll be out walking Pumpkin to mark the moment. The sun will be directly overhead and we will cast no shadows as we tromp along through the slush left from last Friday night's snowstorm.
Over in Amherst, at the University of Massachusetts campus, they have
something more elaborate planned. To greet the day, a group will gather at sunup at the sunwheel that friends of the firmament have built near Alumni Stadium. There will be another gathering at sunset. In between, anyone wanting to review celestial basics can join Judith Young of the UMass astronomy department for "a presentation explaining the equinoxes and solstices, the cause of the seasons, the Sun's path in the sky, the phases of the Moon and the Moon's 18.6-year cycle, and the story of building the Sunwheel."
Warm clothing is advised since the high for the day is expected to be around 38°F, with the wind making it feel like 27°F.
Labels: Special occasion
posted by Karen Nelson @ 4:02 AM
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