The autumnal equinox is the time of the year when:
A) the Sun crosses the ecliptic plane, moving northward.
B) the Sun crosses the equatorial plane, moving southward.
C) Earth is at the closest point to the Sun in its elliptical orbit.
D) the Sun passes through the galactic plane.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The autumnal equinox occurs when the Sun appears directly above the Earth's equator, crossing the equatorial plane and moving southward. This marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Option A is referring to the vernal equinox, which occurs in March when the Sun moves northward across the ecliptic plane. Option C is referring to the Earth's closest approach to the Sun, which occurs in early January (perihelion). Option D is not related to the equinoxes.

The Autumnal Equinox Is the Time of the Year When