APOD: 2024 March 19 Б A Picturesque Equinox Sunset
Explanation:
What's that at the end of the road?
The Sun.
Many towns have roads that run east-west, and on two days each year,
the Sun rises and sets
right down the middle.
Today, in some parts of the world (tomorrow in others),
is one of those days: an
equinox.
Not only is this a day of equal night
("aequus"-"nox") and day time, but also a day when the
sun rises precisely to the east and sets due west.
Displayed here is a picturesque rural road in
Alberta,
Canada
that runs approximately east-west.
The featured image was taken during the September
Equinox
of 2021, but the geometry remains the same every year.
In many cultures, this
March equinox
is taken to be the first day of a season, typically spring in Earth's
northern hemisphere, and autumn in the
south.
Does your favorite street run east-west?
Tonight, at sunset, you can
find out with a quick glance.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
