Solstices and Equinoxes
There are 4 very special days during the year for the Earth. It's almost like the Earth has a birthday 4 times a year.
1. Winter Solstice: the shortest day of the year- the one day with the least amount of sunlight. This day occurs when the Earth is tilted furthest from the sun.
Northern Hemisphere- December 21 or 22-
Southern Hemisphere- June 21 or 22
2. Summer Solstice: the longest day of the year- the one day with the most amount of sunlight. This day occurs when the Earth is tilted furthest toward the sun.
Northern Hemisphere- June 21 or 22--
Southern Hemisphere- December 21 or 22
3 and 4. Spring/Fall Equinoxes: the 2 days of the year where the days and nights are exactly equal (12 hours of each)
Northern Hemisphere's Spring Equinox- March 21 or 22.
Northern Hemisphere's Fall/Autumn Equinox- September 21 or 22
Southern Hemisphere's Spring Equinox- September 21 or 22.
Southern Hemisphere's Fall/Autumn Equinox- March 21 or 22
