| Date |
Earth's orientation |
length of the day |
where is the sun overhead
at noon? |
where does the sun rise and
set? |
| March 21
Spring* Equinox Sept. 21 Fall Equinox |
 |
12 hour days, 12 hour
nights everywhere |
equator |
rises in the east sets in the west |
| Dec. 21 Winter*
Solstice |
 |
shortest day of the year days less than 12 hours long 0 hour days north of the Arctic Circle 24 hour days south of the Antarctic Circle |
23.5 S latitude Tropic of Capricorn |
rises in the southeast sets in the southwest |
| June 21 Summer* Solstice |
 |
longest day of the year days more than 12 hours long 24 hours days north of the Arctic Circle 0 hour days south of the Antarctic Circle |
23.5 N latitude Tropic of Cancer |
rises in the northeast sets in the northwest |
 |
|
| days equal to or more than
12 hours long |
Mar.
21 to Sep. 21 |
| days equal to or less than
12 hours long |
Sep.
21 to Mar. 21 |
| days getting longer |
Dec.
21 to Jun. 21 |
| days getting shorter |
Jun.
21 to Dec. 21 |