September equinox 2010: Harvest moon, Jupiter usher autumn

Converting into North American clocks, the equinox took place at 11:09 p.m. Eastern Time, 10:09 p.m. Central Time, 9:09 p.m. Mountain Time and 8:09 p.m. Pacific Time, on Wednesday night.

Also called by names like September equinox, autumnal equinox, autumn equinox, the time signals the end of summers and the beginning of winters and shorter days ahead.

Though the days and nights are said to be equal on this day, it is not true for places that are farther away from equator. In fact, the days are longer in these location. When the sun sets, "it does not set straight down - it moves in a horizontal direction.”

Harvest moon, Jupiter mesmerize sky watchers
Not only is the autumnal equinox here but this time, nearly after 20 years, the phenomenon has coincided with the harvest moon.

In a rare treat to the sky gazers, the full moon adorned the night sky six hours after the fall equinox.

Not only the sky watchers saw the 'wine moon' ushering the equinox, they also witnessed Jupiter shining bright, commemorating the onset of autumn.

Narrating the beautiful astronomical event, a person named George W. Hatcher stated on Twitter, “Autumn equinox; Moon, Jupiter & Uranus in opposition ..it fills me with wonder to see so much in the sky.

Another sky gazer named 'GroupofUs' tweeted, “Autumnal Equinox at the Harvest moon - and a spectacular Jupiter above it before sunrise! What a MOON! happy Autumn everyone!!”

A harvest moon during equinox is a rarity. It last happened on Sept. 23, 1991, and the next will not been seen before 2029.

Understanding the phenomenon
The September equinox occurs approximately every year on Sept. 22 or 23 each year. As the word equinox stands for equal, the day and night are approximately equally long on this day.

This is due to the fact that sun is directly overhead at the subsolar point on the equator.

Though the days and nights are said to be equal on this day, it is not true for places that are farther away from equator. In fact, the days are longer in these location. Even when the sun sets, "it does not set straight down - it moves in a horizontal direction.”

Celebrations and festivities
From the ancient times, fall equinox is associated with celebrations.

To illustrate, in Japan the autumnal equinox is being observed as a national holiday since the Meiji period (1868-1912). During this time, a week of Buddhist services is observed in the country.

The day also is important for the Christians. As it marks the start of autumn, Christian churches observe Michaelmas, the Feast of Michael and All Angels, near the equinox.

In China, Mid-Autumn Festival, associated with celebrating the abundance of the summer's harvest, is observed near this time period.

This is not only limited to China. In ancient Greece, people celebrated the harvesting of grapes for wine on this day.

Even today many people across the world celebrate the final harvest of the season around the fall equinox.

Believes and myths
Apart from the celebrations, there are also superstitions and myths associated with this day.

Jews believe that during this time Abraham had planned to sacrifice his son.

As per the Greek mythology, during September equinox, goddess Persephone, the queen of the underworld, goes backs underworld to live with her husband Hades.

Also, it is believed that during equinox there is a special gravitational pull on the Earth, which allows balancing of egg on its point.

But this belief has been rubbished. According to a research, any one can balance egg on its point every day of the year, provided that surface is rough, like sidewalk or pavement, to support egg.

Also, by sprinkling salt on the smooth surface, one can balance egg.