Day, night to be equal Monday

Monday March 21, 2011 12:07:53 PM, IANS

New Delhi: Day and night will be of equal duration Monday, marking the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere.

According to the Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE), Monday will mark the Vernal Equinox.

"The name equinox is derived from the Latin word aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and the day are approximately equally long. An equinox happens twice each year, occurring approximately around March 20/21 (Vernal) and September 22/23 (Autumnal)," a SPACE statement said.

"An equinox happens when there is a location on the earth's equator where the centre of the sun can be observed to be vertically overhead. This year the Vernal Equinox is on March 21," it added.

On the occasion, SPACE will be conducting a public outreach programme at Jantar Mantar to explain to people the concept of equinox using ancient instruments.



 

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Picture of the Day

President of India Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil addressing at the inauguration of the National Festival of Tribal Dances, ‘PRAKRITI’, in New Delhi on March 16, 2011. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture, Kum. Selja, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Kantilal Bhuria and Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mahadev S. Khandela are also seen.

(Photo: Mukesh Kumar)