The spring equinox heralds the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere. But have you heard the myth that an egg is balanced on its end?
Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When she’s not wallowing in weird gear and cat iPad apps, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto.
It’s been a long winter, but spring is approaching. On Friday, the spring equinox arrives, signaling the astronomical start of spring (and end of winter!) in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the equinoxes don’t get the same attention as the solstices, they are a beautiful way to observe the changing seasons. Let’s learn about the spring equinox, what it is and why it happens.
When does the spring equinox occur?
The spring equinox has a specific time, occurring at 10:46 a.m. ET/7:46 a.m. PT on Friday, March 20.
What is the spring equinox?
You may have noticed daylight lengthening as winter draws to a close, especially with last weekend’s time change. The spring equinox marks the tipping point toward longer days.
The word “equinox” comes from the Latin words meaning “equality” and “night”. Daylight and night are approximately equal during the equinox. We experience two every year: the vernal equinox in spring and the autumnal equinox in autumn. The word “vernal” comes from Latin and refers to spring.
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This National Weather Service graphic shows Earth’s tilt, how our planet orbits the sun, and when the equinoxes and solstices occur in the Northern Hemisphere.
NWS/NOAAThe Earth rotates on an axis (think of it as a line from one pole to the other) with a tilt of 23.5 degrees. Some parts of the planet receive more direct sunlight than others. This is how we get our seasons, and how summer can be in the northern hemisphere while winter is in the southern hemisphere.
“The spring equinox is when the Northern Hemisphere shifts from an orientation away from the sun (in winter) to an orientation toward the sun (in summer),” explains Emily Rice, associate professor of astrophysics at the Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York. “The inclination is aligned with the Earth’s orbit for an instant.” This is when we receive almost equal amounts of daylight and nightlight.
How are the equinoxes different from the solstices?
The solstices are the extremes of days and nights. The summer solstice is the longest day and the winter solstice is the shortest day. In 2026, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will occur on June 21 and the winter solstice on December 21.
The solstices receive more love than the equinoxes.
“Extremes are easier to mark and visualize than inflection points, which are more subtle changes, so the solstices get all the attention,” says Rice. All are linked to the tilt of the Earth and the sun, so think of the solstices and equinoxes as siblings each with their own seasonal connection.
What does the equinox look like from space?
It can be difficult to visualize Earth’s tilt and what happens during an equinox from the ground. NASA therefore produced a video showing the Earth seen by a satellite.
It follows our planet through its seasons. Watch how night and daylight change over time.
How to celebrate the spring equinox
Perhaps you’ve heard that the only day you can balance a raw egg on its end is at the equinox. This legend could be accompanied by vague talking points about gravity, the alignment of the Earth and the Sun.
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I balanced this egg on a day that was not the equinox.
Amanda Kooser/CNETOne of Rice’s annual tasks at the equinox is to debunk the myth of egg balancing.
“Astronomers usually tell people on the internet that no, they can’t balance an egg just at the equinox,” she said. You can try it, but also be sure to test it on a day other than the equinox. I passed it on February 27, in case you were wondering.
An equinox is a subtle phenomenon. There are no spectacular celestial events to mark the day. Don’t let this discourage you. The spring equinox is what you make it.
“Considering that Earth’s orbit has no beginning or end, a year can actually begin at any time, and the equinox has more astronomical significance than January 1,” says Rice.
You can find your own way to celebrate the occasion. Tell your friends and colleagues that it’s the start of astronomical spring. Plant some seeds. Clean your house. Spend time outside. Make plans for spring break. And take a moment to toast the sun, the tilt of the Earth, and our place in space that brings us to the spring equinox.
