On September 23 the sun crossed the celestial equator moving southward, creating the autumnal equinox. This astronomical event signals the start of astronomical autumn in the northern hemisphere and brings daylight and darkness to roughly equal lengths.
What the Equinox Means for Daylight
After the equinox, daylight hours continue to shorten as fall progresses toward winter. By the winter solstice around December 21, days are at their shortest, after which they gradually lengthen again toward spring. The spring equinox in March will once more balance day and night.
Historical Perspectives and Superstitions
Early 20th‑century newspapers from Wyoming, such as the Wyoming State Tribune (June 21, 1919) and the Sheridan Post (September 28, 1921), described the equinox and debunked the myth of an “equinoctial storm.” District forecaster M.J. Sherier of the U.S. Weather Bureau explained that any storm on the equinox is coincidental, not a predictable phenomenon.
Local reports from the Laramie Republican (September 21, 1921) noted clear skies on the equinox, with barometer readings around 23.12‑23.13, further illustrating that weather on the day is ordinary.
The Harvest Moon
Coinciding with the autumnal equinox is the Harvest Moon, the full moon nearest the equinox. Because of the moon’s shallow angle to the horizon at this time, it rises at nearly the same time for several consecutive evenings, providing extra light for farmers to bring in late‑summer crops. Historical accounts from the Powell Tribune (July 16, 1915) and the Buffalo Bulletin (August 7, 1919) describe how this extended illumination was vital for harvest work.
The following full moon, known as the Hunter’s Moon, continues the tradition of bright evenings, though its rise time begins to shift later each night.
Why It Matters Today
Even without crops to harvest, the Harvest Moon offers a beautiful night sky and a reminder of the seasonal rhythms that shape our lives. As daylight wanes, many find the longer evenings a time for reflection and appreciation of nature’s cycles.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
