- published: 17 Aug 2011
- views: 282656163
An equinox occurs twice a year (around 20 March and 22 September), when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length.
At an equinox, the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0) and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points: classically, the vernal point (RA = 00h 00m 00s and longitude = 0º) and the autumnal point (RA = 12h 00m 00s and longitude = 180º). By extension, the term equinox may denote an equinoctial point.
The equinoxes are the only times when the subsolar point is on the Equator. This point (the place on the Earth's surface where the center of the Sun can be observed exactly overhead) crosses the Equator moving northward at the March equinox and crosses the Equator moving southward at the September equinox.
Just a quiet city sport[?]
With a wife and little kids to support
So immaculately dressed when he walks
Like a soldier on parade
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you set him on your knee
Every day you see his army march down the street
Changing guards at the high road
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wa-waddle doo[?]
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And keep his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wa-waddle doo[?]
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And make his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you sit him on your knee
He's a tin soldier man