Happy first day of spring 2017! Also known as the spring equinox or vernal equinox, today the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly the same. For 2017, the spring equinox occurs at 6:29 a.m. EDT in the northern hemisphere. At this time, the sun will cross directly over the earth’s equator.

The spring equinox is also known as the vernal equinox. “Vernal” means “of relating to spring” in Latin. “Equinox” means “equal night” in Latin. The spring equinox is one of the two annual equinoxes where the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly the same.

Ah, Spring! A time when "a young man's thoughts turn to thoughts of love"...and outdoors and fishing and gardening and........ And, let's not leave out the ladies. Spring brings out these thoughts and more, for both ladies and gentlemen. So, let's go and enjoy what many believe to be the best season of them all!

The Spring Vernal Equinox brings days and nights in equal proportions. It is simply the day when there is exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of nighttime. But, did you know that this is only true on the Equator? For the rest of us, the timing is a little sooner, or later, depending upon where we live on the planet. We won't go any deeper than that, as this a fun site, not a science course.

The other thing to note is that the Spring Equinox is just a calendar date. From a standpoint of weather in your area, real spring arrives sooner or later depending upon where you live in the Northern Hemisphere. So wherever you are just RISE & SHINE ON