Spring Equinox 2020

Diagram: Earth inside a translucent sphere with orbit-like lines for celestial equator and ecliptic and celestial poles marked.

The equinox sun rises due east and sets due west

The 2026 September equinox occurs on 14:46 UTC (9:46 p.m. CDT) on March 20. And the equinox sun rises and sets due east and due west.

Composite of 11 photos with sun just above a low mountain showing positions of the sun at dawn on 11 dates.

Equinox fun: Track the sun’s shift now until the solstice

On this equinox, start tracking the sunset point on your western horizon. You'll see a mighty shift between now and the June solstice.

Yellow flower with 6 prominent petals around a yellow cup.

When’s the first day of spring? All you need to know

While astronomical spring doesn't start until March 20, meteorologists and climatologists use March 1 as the first day of spring for consistency.

Dome of longitude and latitude lines with suns in perfect arc over the center.

Equinox sun is over Earth’s equator

At an equinox, and for several days before and after, the midday sun is straight up at noon seen from Earth's equator. At this equinox, the sun is crossing the celestial equator, moving from north to south.

A Chinese perspective on spring

In Chinese thought, spring is associated with the direction east, the sunrise direction as Earth spins us toward the beginning of each new day.

March full moon is 2nd-closest of 2020’s 3 full supermoons

The whole globe enjoys a full-looking moon on March 8 and 9, 2020. The exact time of full moon falls in daylight on March 9 for clocks in the Americas. It's the 1st supermoon of 2020 and 2nd-closest full moon this year.

Wide partial arc of setting sun, glowing orange below and yellow above.

Are day and night equal at equinoxes?

September 22 is the equinox. The word means "equal night." Days and nights are nearly equal now at the equinox, but not quite. Here's why. Also, we've got a new word for you, "equilux." It's the word for when day and night are, in fact, equal.

Full supermoon at March 2019 equinox

The full moon crests less than 4 hours after the arrival of the March 20, 2019 equinox. It’s the closest coincidence of a full moon with a March equinox between the years 2000 and 2030.

A full round blue-colored moon. A blue sphere with dark blotches on it.

Blue Moon – and smallest moon of 2026 – on May 30-31

There's a full Blue Moon overnight on May 30-31, 2026. A Blue Moon is the 2nd of 2 full moons in a calendar month or the 3rd of 4 full moons in a single season.

Constellations and signs: What’s the difference?

What is the difference between the signs of the zodiac and the constellations of the zodiac? Astronomer Guy Ottewell illustrates and discusses this difference.

Meteor shower guide 2026: Up next … the Arietids

Up next is the daytime Arietid meteor shower, you might catch some before dawn on the mornings around June 10. Try to block out the waxing crescent moon.

Star chart showing constellation Orion with brightest stars Rigel and Betelgeuse labeled.

Notice the westward shift of Orion and all the stars

As Earth makes its grand tour around the sun each year, the stars and constellations all do a westward shift in our sky. Orion is a good one to notice.

Huge pale yellow moon, mostly above the horizon, in light purple sky beyond a dark hill with tall cactuses.

Full moon names of the month and by the season

Lists of common full moon names - both by month and by season - for North America. And a word about full moon names in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dark twilight on the horizon and a thin crescent moon and a small white dot that is Jupiter.

What’s the youngest moon you can see with your eye alone?

It has long been a sport for skywatchers to spot the youngest moon after sunset, with the eye alone. What does it take to see a very young crescent moon?

A giant full moon on horizon with small, silhouetted man holding a jack-o-lantern.

Halloween is an astronomy holiday. It’s a cross-quarter day

A cross-quarter day falls between an equinox and a solstice. Halloween is the year's 4th cross-quarter day and the spookiest of them all.

Large orangish full moon with kids on a fence in front.

Our top 10 stargazing tips for beginning astronomers

If you're new to observing the night sky, check out our top 10 stargazing tips for beginners. We'll help you explore and expand your love for astronomy.

Starry sky with large, fuzzy cone of light near the horizon, stars, and a meteor.

Zodiacal light: Start watching for it now

The zodiacal light is an eerie light extending up from the horizon before dawn around the Northern Hemisphere autumn. Southern Hemisphere? Look after sunset!

What’s your personal solstice? Images and stories from our community here

The solstice is a whole-Earth event. Enjoy these June solstice stories and images from the EarthSky community. And happy solstice!

Three curved, dotted sun tracks across the sky from various heights above the horizon down to the horizon.

Northernmost sunset is on the June solstice, today!

The northernmost sunset (and sunrise) happens at the June solstice. Here's some quick info that'll help you connect with nature on this special day.

Fisheye view of sky with 3 bright parallel lines across it.

Personal solstices from the EarthSky community

Some people like to mark the solstice with a special sunset view, or marking of shadows, or party! Personal solstices from the EarthSky community, here.

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The equinox sun rises due east and sets due west

Equinox fun: Track the sun’s shift now until the solstice

When’s the first day of spring? All you need to know

Equinox sun is over Earth’s equator

A Chinese perspective on spring

March full moon is 2nd-closest of 2020’s 3 full supermoons

Are day and night equal at equinoxes?

Full supermoon at March 2019 equinox

Blue Moon – and smallest moon of 2026 – on May 30-31

Constellations and signs: What’s the difference?

Meteor shower guide 2026: Up next … the Arietids

Notice the westward shift of Orion and all the stars

Full moon names of the month and by the season

What’s the youngest moon you can see with your eye alone?

Halloween is an astronomy holiday. It’s a cross-quarter day

Our top 10 stargazing tips for beginning astronomers

Zodiacal light: Start watching for it now

What’s your personal solstice? Images and stories from our community here

Northernmost sunset is on the June solstice, today!

Personal solstices from the EarthSky community