What is the difference between Equinox and Solstice? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Equinox and Solstice?

Asked by G. Cole, Last updated: Apr 24, 2024

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L. Sevigny

L. Sevigny

L. Sevigny
L. Sevigny, Doctor, Las Vegas

Answered Nov 11, 2020

Solstice refers specifically to summer solstice and winter solstice. The summertime solstice has the greatest amount of sunlight that day of the year, while the winter solstice is the day when there is the least amount of sun. The summer solstice typically falls on June 21st. This time, the Northern Hemisphere leans toward the sun, and the southern hemisphere is going away from the sun.

Winter solstice typically falls on December 22nd and is when the sun is at its furthest point from the equator. Equinox is the sun at its nearest point from the equator. During the equinox, the cusp between day and night time rests at a 90-degree angle at the equator.

The autumn equinox occurs on September 22nd, while the spring equinox happens on March 20th. Autumn is the cooling down of summer as you prepare for the cold, dark winter, while spring is the heating up after the harsh winter, and it prepares you for the hot and humid days of summer.

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Corné

Corné

Traveler and writer by profession.

Corné
Corné , College student, MBA, Geneva

Answered Nov 03, 2020

Equinox and solstice are two points in the ecliptic that explain the position of the sun and its effects on earth. An equinox is one of the two points in the ecliptic when the sun spends an equal time on the equatorial plane. In other words, an equinox refers to the intersection that occurs between the celestial equator and the apparent path of the sun. The effect of the equinox is that it causes equal lengths for day and night. On the other hand, a solstice refers to any point in the ecliptic where the sun is farthest from the equator. A solstice happens twice every year and causes longer days or nights. An equinox also happens twice every year but only occurs for some hours, unlike the solstice. A solstice usually occurs during winter or summer. On the contrary, an equinox usually occurs at the beginning of spring and fall.
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Yashu Dhiman

Yashu Dhiman

I'm a professional writer. I express through my blog and I keep searching for fresh content over the Internet.

Yashu Dhiman
Yashu Dhiman, Content Writer, Diploma in Literature, Noida, India

Answered Oct 28, 2020

Equinox and solstice are two points in the ecliptic that explain the position of the sun and its effects on earth. An equinox is one of the two points in the ecliptic when the sun spends an equal time on the equatorial plane. In other words, an equinox refers to the intersection that occurs between the celestial equator and the apparent path of the sun. The effect of the equinox is that it causes equal lengths for day and night.

On the other hand, a solstice refers to any point in the ecliptic where the sun is farthest from the equator. A solstice happens twice every year and causes longer days or nights. An equinox also happens twice every year but only occurs for some hours, unlike the solstice. A solstice usually occurs during winter or summer. On the contrary, an equinox usually occurs at the beginning of spring and fall.

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Samantha Stewart

Samantha Stewart

Love to do some charity work. Have a passion for writing and do it in my spare time

Samantha Stewart
Samantha Stewart, Philanthropist, Post Graduate, Corpus Christi

Answered Oct 21, 2020

Equinox and solstice may seem similar in the beginning but you have to remember that the equinox will refer to the time when daylight and nighttime will be the same in terms of length. Solstice, on the other hand, will refer to the time when the sun will shine the longest or the shortest. There are specific dates wherein these events will occur. For some people who are believers of the power of the equinox and solstice, they may hold some festivals. They may also have to do some rituals because they believe that doing the right rituals will definitely change the way that they live. The dates when these events will be celebrated will change every year.
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