jevndøgn

Jevndøgn, also known as an equinox, refers to the two times of the year when the sun is directly above the Earth's equator. This occurs around March 20th or 21st and September 22nd or 23rd. On these days, day and night are approximately equal in length across the globe, hence the name "jevndøgn" which translates from Norse as "equal day."

During a jevndøgn, the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun. This celestial alignment results in a balanced distribution of sunlight, meaning roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The specific date of the jevndøgn can vary slightly year to year due to the Earth's orbit and the Gregorian calendar system.

The vernal jevndøgn, occurring in March, marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Conversely, the autumnal jevndøgn, around September, signifies the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. These astronomical events have been recognized and celebrated by various cultures throughout history, often associated with cycles of renewal and balance.