The word “equinox” is derived from Latin and is literally translated into “night equality”.
On the equinox, day and night last about 12 hours – but not exactly 12 hours! For example, on September 22 in London, the duration of the day will be 12 hours and 11 minutes and in Shetland 12 hours and 14 minutes. So where does this additional duration of the day come from?
At sunrise and sunset, sunlight is refracted through the earth’s atmosphere. Although we can see the sun, in reality, its position is actually below the horizon. This means that we get a few additional minutes of daylight due to this light flexion tip from our atmosphere.
In addition, the equinox is measured in the center of the sun’s disc, and not on its attack or leakage board which are used as a measurement or sunset.
It is only a few days after the fall equinox that we arrive at the point where the days and nights last 12 hours. This is known as the balanced And will occur on September 25.
