**Published** March 20, 2025 4:43pm
State weather bureau PAGASA said Thursday that the day and night will share nearly the same length around the world on Thursday, March 20, due to the vernal equinox.
“Today, the March Equinox marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere,” [PAGASA](https://www.facebook.com/PAGASA.DOST.GOV.PH/posts/pfbid0fwfjeNCuJ3VbsoNdxGzLpNzBMLVN2fh4R9WmfRDmDhPztjJt9t98EVjYssp9KFCvl?rdid=U8fRtlVw8fpkei3F#) said on Facebook.
“On this day, the Sun shines directly over the equator, making day and night nearly equal in length worldwide,” it added.
PAGASA explained that astronomical seasons are marked by the equinoxes and solstices’ four key points in Earth's journey around the Sun. This happens because Earth is tilted at 23.5 degrees on its axis.
“As Earth moves around the Sun, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight, leading to changes in temperature and daylight hours throughout the year,” PAGASA said.
“The vernal equinox occurs at the precise point where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect,” it added.
The intersection is called the First Point of Aries, according to PAGASA. But due the slow wobble of Earth's axis or axial precession, PAGASA said this point is now located in the constellation Pisces.
“The March Equinox marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west,” PAGASA said.
“It is also directly above the equator, so both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive equal sunlight, making day and night nearly the same length all over the world,” it added.
PAGASA noted that the equinox “doesn’t cause any sudden changes in weather or climate” but it is only part of Earth’s regular orbit around the Sun, happening every year around March 20 to 21. **— Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News**