Twice a year on Earth, the number of hours of darkness is equal to the number of hours of sunlight. These events, where both day and night are 12 hours, are the spring and autumn equinoxes. Which of these describes the orientation of the sun and Earth on these two days?

Question

Alberto Ortega

Physics

15 June, 10:03

Twice a year on Earth, the number of hours of darkness is equal to the number of hours of sunlight. These events, where both day and night are 12 hours, are the spring and autumn equinoxes. Which of these describes the orientation of the sun and Earth on these two days?

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Answers (1)

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Gauge Burke · Answer 1

Answer : At the equator, the sun is directly overhead at noon on these two equinoxes.

Explanation : Twice a year on Earth, the number of hours of darkness is equal to the number of hours of sunlight. These events, where both day and night are 12 hours, are the spring and autumn equinoxes.

At the equinoxes, the sun's path follows the celestial equator.

At the equator, the sun is directly overhead at noon on these two equinoxes.