Hey Vern it s the Equinox!
Thanks for watching Star Gazers
-- and March 20 is the Vernal
Equinox -- when our sun is directly over
the equator and day and night are equal.
The Vernal Equinox is also
known as the First Point of
Aries, because the sun would pass through
that constellation at this time of year,
but that s not the case anymore! Now it passes
through Pisces! This is because of PRECESSION.
Precession is the wobble of Earth s axis. Like a
top, we re flopping back and forth as we spin and
orbit. This wobble causes Earth s rotational axis
to trace out a cone in the night sky! Over time,
the stars actually MOVE -- about a pinky
on an outstretched arm, every 72 years.
So in 26,000 years Vega will
be the North star not Polaris!
Traditional Vernal Equinox celebrations
involve celebrations of fertility and spring,
so enjoy yourself this week, and Keep looking up!