Solstice vs. Equinox

Solsticenoun

One of the two points in the ecliptic at which the sun is furthest from the celestial equator. This corresponds to one of two days in the year when the day is either longest or shortest.

Solsticenoun

A stopping or standing still of the sun.

Solsticenoun

The point in the ecliptic at which the sun is farthest from the equator, north or south, namely, the first point of the sign Cancer and the first point of the sign Capricorn, the former being the summer solstice, latter the winter solstice, in northern latitudes; - so called because the sun then apparently stands still in its northward or southward motion.

Solsticenoun

either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator

Solsticenoun

either of the two times in the year, the summer solstice and the winter solstice, when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marked by the longest and shortest days.

Solstice

A solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21.

Equinoxnoun

(astronomy) The intersection of the apparent path of the sun in the sky (the ecliptic) with the celestial equator.

Equinoxnoun

One of the two days on which this intersection occurs each year: (for the Northern hemisphere) March 20 or 21 in the spring and September 22 or 23 in the autumn.

Equinoxnoun

The time when the sun enters one of the equinoctial points, that is, about March 21 and September 22. See Autumnal equinox, Vernal equinox, under Autumnal and Vernal.

Equinoxnoun

Equinoctial wind or storm.

Equinoxnoun

either of two times of the year when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator and day and night are of equal length

Equinoxnoun

(astronomy) either of the two celestial points at which the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic

Equinoxnoun

the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length (about 22 September and 20 March).

Equinoxnoun

another term for equinoctial point

Equinox

An equinox is the instant of time when the plane of Earth's equator passes through the geometric center of the Sun's disk. This occurs twice each year, around 20 March and 23 September.