Today marks the first day of spring, otherwise known as the vernal equinox, when the length of day and night are nearly the same. Astronomers define an equinox as that moment when the sun arrives at one of two intersection points of the ecliptic (the sun’s path across the sky) and the celestial equator (Earth’s equator projected onto the sky). And this year, it came earlier than it has since 1896.
With most of the country experiencing record highs in temperature after a mild winter, many people are dragging out the old chestnut of the end of the world, especially since the Mayans predicted the end to come in December of this year. And where superstitions abound, one is sure to find the one about being able to balance a raw egg on end during the vernal equinox.
While astronomers insist that planetary alignments have no effect on physical objects on Earth, that doesn’t stop people from trying–and in some cases succeeding–to balance an egg on the first day of spring. As seen in this video, it can be done…but whether on the vernal equinox or in August, it doesn’t matter.
Of course, to most, the beginning of spring just means the prospect of more daylight, baseball, and warmer weather.
It’s the first day of #spring in NYC! But it feels like summer is just around the corner with this weather!
Woke up feeling like a trillion bucks. First day of spring. Class, workout, study, watch baseball. What a day. #LetsDoThis
happy first day of spring! (for those in the northern hemisphere). from now on days are slightly longer and nights a little shorter. yay!