The official first day of fall, otherwise known as the autumnal equinox, is this weekend in the Northern Hemisphere. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, it is one of only two days, the other being the vernal equinox, when the sun is directly above the Equator, essentially dividing night and day into equal portions.

Sept. 22, marks the first day of the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. It begins approximately at 8:43 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, meteorological fall begins on Sept. 1 and makes it easier to keep seasonal weather records, according to FOX Weather.

On Sept. 22, the fall equinox formally heralds in autumn and marks the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The official start to the fall season, the autumnal equinox, occurs on Sunday, Sept. 22. What exactly happens during the equinox? Here’s a breakdown: According to NOAA, an equinox occurs when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither away nor toward the sun.

Today marks the autumnal equinox, or the first day of astronomical fall. Have you ever wondered why it occurs on a different day and at a different time each year? Let’s break it down! Let’s start with the basics.

The pagan community celebrates the autumnal equinox with a Mabon festival. Mabon, named for the Welsh God and son of the Earth Mother, is a popular time to pick apples. The apples