The Vernal Equinox signifies the Official Start to Spring 2010

Spring is finally here.  At 12:32 PM EST the Vernal Equinox occurred to mark the start of longer days and warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere.  For many aware of the official start time, the moment of the equinox was almost as exciting as counting down to New Years, except with less booze.

So what is the equinox? When literally translated the term means equal night. Because of the 32 degree tilt of the Earth, as the Earth rotates around the sun, the amount of sun and intensity of the rays varies.  The Vernal Equinox marks the time when the sun shines equally on each side of the equator before it shifts to give the Northern Hemisphere their Spring and Summer weather.

The vernal equinox is exciting.  It means longer days and warmer weather are coming.  It means baseball season is almost officially here.  It means the ocean will warm, and beaches will soon be filled.  It means leaves will grow on trees and flowers will bloom.

The vernal equinox means spring has sprung.  Officially.