WEBVTT

00:02.002 --> 00:03.503 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
Hey Vern it s the Equinox!

00:03.603 --> 00:07.173 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
Thanks for watching Star Gazers
-- and March 20 is the Vernal

00:07.273 --> 00:11.011 align:left position:77.5% line:83% size:12.5%
Equinox -- when our sun is directly over
the equator and day and night are equal.

00:11.111 --> 00:13.813 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
The Vernal Equinox is also
known as the First Point of

00:13.913 --> 00:17.650 align:left position:77.5% line:83% size:12.5%
Aries, because the sun would pass through
that constellation at this time of year,

00:17.751 --> 00:23.990 align:left position:70% line:83% size:20%
but that s not the case anymore! Now it passes
through Pisces! This is because of PRECESSION.

00:24.090 --> 00:29.029 align:left position:67.5% line:83% size:22.5%
Precession is the wobble of Earth s axis. Like a
top, we re flopping back and forth as we spin and

00:29.129 --> 00:34.768 align:left position:67.5% line:83% size:22.5%
orbit. This wobble causes Earth s rotational axis
to trace out a cone in the night sky! Over time,

00:34.868 --> 00:39.272 align:left position:77.5% line:83% size:12.5%
the stars actually MOVE -- about a pinky
on an outstretched arm, every 72 years.

00:39.372 --> 00:43.977 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
So in 26,000 years Vega will
be the North star not Polaris!

00:44.077 --> 00:48.448 align:left position:80% line:83% size:10%
Traditional Vernal Equinox celebrations
involve celebrations of fertility and spring,

00:48.548 --> 00:52.548 align:left position:67.5% line:89% size:22.5%
so enjoy yourself this week, and Keep looking up!