Seattle Gains 11 Extra Minutes of Daylight During Spring Equinox The spring equinox occurred at 7:46 a.m. PDT on Friday, marking the start of longer days for the northern hemisphere. While the idea that balancing an egg on its end is only possible during the equinox is a myth, the event does signal the beginning of the brightest six months of the year. The equinox happens twice annually when the sun’s rays strike the equator at a right angle, creating nearly equal periods of daylight and darkness. This occurs because Earth’s tilted axis causes the sun’s direct rays to cross the equator from south to north during the spring equinox, allowing the northern hemisphere to receive more sunlight for six months. The term “equinox” comes from Latin, meaning “equal night,” though in Seattle, the day is actually 12 minutes longer than 12 hours. This discrepancy arises due to atmospheric refraction, which bends sunlight and extends the visible daylight. A day with precisely 12 hours of daylight is called the equilux, which in Seattle coincided with St. Patrick’s Day. While the equinox itself doesn’t guarantee perfect day-night balance, it sets the stage for the gradual increase in daylight as spring progresses. As the season transitions, residents are encouraged to embrace the changing light and enjoy the extended hours of sunlight.#seattle #st_patrick_s_day #spring_equinox #equilux #atmospheric_refraction
