Why is Monday considered spring? The vernal equinox, explained

[elleng]

'Here in the northern hemisphere, spring in the form of the vernal equinox is scheduled to start Monday at 6:29 a.m. Although there’s still snow on the ground and cold weather in the forecast, one can’t deny the new season has arrived.

Meteorologists start spring after the coldest 90 days of the year, so we began it on March 1st. But astronomical spring arrives when the sun reaches a certain height over the equatoreach year. This is typically what most folks celebrate as spring’s arrival.

While nearly everyone knows spring arrives around March 20, what’s actually occurring in terms of the relationship between the earth and the sun still isn’t universally understood.

On both the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun will be directly overhead at noon at some place along the equator of our planet. This year, the first of these two occurrences happens at 6:29 a.m Eastern Standard Time on March 20. Basically, if you were in central Africa and looked up at noon, the sun would be directly above your head, forming a 90-degree angle with the ground. On Friday, Sept. 22, at 4:02 p.m., the same thing will occur at a different spot along the equator to begin the fall season.'>>>

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/03/19/why-monday-considered-spring-the-vernal-equinox-explained/4QpSoRlVS2I3KMlAofZcII/story.html

[PSPS]

1. LOL. "what's actually occurring ... still isn't universally understood."

While nearly everyone knows spring arrives around March 20, what's actually occurring in terms of the relationship between the earth and the sun still isn't universally understood.

Um, yes it is. Did this guy get a "degree" from "Liberty Astronomical University?"

[WheelWalker]

2. Referring, no doubt, to Alt-facts, e.g. the Earth is flat, Sol revolves around Earth, etc.?

[Warren DeMontague]

4. insane clown posse and bill o'reilly

It's just a theory, the jury is still out

[ProfessorGAC]

3. As The Poster Says Below. . .

. . .universally known would mean everybody, and there are those who don't know it or don't care to know it.

I get what you're saying though. Like you, i sure knew this.

[NutmegYankee]

5. I think its a reference to scientific ignorance of the population.

[Blue_Warrior]

6. To claim anything is "universally" understood is unlikely

[RobinA]

8. Gotta Disagree

Go ask 20 random people what the "first day of spring" means and I bet you get 5 who know what's actually happening.

[Orrex]

7. What does Shaquille O'Neal think about this?

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. That should read "6:29 a.m Eastern Daylight Time"

It was 10:29 GMT, and the 4 hour difference is to Eastern Daylight Time, not Eastern Standard Time.

[elleng]

10. Right! The Boston Globe messed up!