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vernal equinox
vernal equinox (symbol ϒ) The point on the celestial sphere at which the Sun passes from south to north of the celestial equator each year. It is also known as the spring equinox or the first point of Aries. It currently occurs on March20. At the vernal equinox, as with the autumnal equinox six months later, night and day are equal in length the world over. Right ascension is measured from the vernal equinox, which by definition has zero right ascension and declination.
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"vernal equinox." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "vernal equinox." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-vernalequinox.html "vernal equinox." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-vernalequinox.html |
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vernal equinox
ver·nal e·qui·nox • n. the equinox in spring, on about March 20 in the northern hemisphere and September 22 in the southern hemisphere. ∎ Astron. the equinox in March. Also called spring equinox. ∎ Astron. another term for First Point of Aries (see Aries). |
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"vernal equinox." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "vernal equinox." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-vernalequinox.html "vernal equinox." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-vernalequinox.html |
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vernal equinox
vernal equinox see equinox . |
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Cite this article
"vernal equinox." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "vernal equinox." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-vernaleq.html "vernal equinox." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-vernaleq.html |
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