What do equinoxes signify in terms of day length?

Prepare for the New Zealand CPL Meteorology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Equinoxes are significant astronomical events that occur twice a year when the day and night are approximately equal in length all over the globe. This phenomenon happens because the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun, resulting in sunlight being distributed evenly across both hemispheres. During the equinoxes, which occur around March 21 (the vernal equinox) and September 23 (the autumnal equinox), the position of the Sun in relation to the Earth allows for virtually equal hours of daylight and darkness.

This balance of day length provides a clear marker in the yearly solar cycle, which is crucial for understanding seasonal changes and the impact of solar radiation on various climates around the world. Thus, the indication of days being of equal length globally captures the essence of what equinoxes represent in relation to day length.

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