Aside from marking the first ber month of the year, one of the most exciting events that we look forward to this month is the Autumnal Equinox. Equinox is derived from two latin words: aequus meaning equal, and nox, which means night. Also known as the September equinox, this event will happen today, September 23, 2015 at around 4:20 PM (Philippine Standard Time) according to PAGASA.

During the equinox, the sun passes directly over the earth’s equator. This means there is nearly the same length of day and night time. Every year, two equinoxes occur: the Vernal Equinox (March) and Autumnal Equinox (September).

The northern hemisphere will now say goodbye to summer as the equinox indicates another season – autumn. This also coincides with different traditional and cultural observances throughout the globe.

In Ancient Greece, the September equinox is a sign of fall or autumn. Fall, in Greek mythology, is associated with the goddess Persephone, who returned to the underworld to be with her husband.

Meanwhile, in Australia, the equinox plays a big role in the oral traditions of the Indigenous Australian culture. Chinese people also highlight this event, which they call Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival, a celebration of the summer’s harvest. One of the main foods served, is the mooncake, which is filled with lotus, sesame seeds, duck egg or dried fruit.

In Japan, “Higan” is observed during equinoxes every year. For them, it is a time to remember the dead by visiting, cleaning and decorating their graves.

PAGASA explains that the equinox does not have a significant effect on Philippine weather, aside from the longer nights expected after the astronomical event. This is because the sun will move below the celestial equator towards the southern hemisphere. In December, the longest night of the year will be experienced, marking the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.

Sources:
PAGASA-DOST
NASA
http://www.timeanddate.com/