                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2022 March 20

                        A Picturesque Equinox Sunset
                  Image Credit & Copyright: Roland Christen

   Explanation: What's that at the end of the road? The Sun. Many towns
   have roads that run east - west, and on two days each year, the Sun
   rises and sets right down the middle. Today is one of those days: an
   equinox. Not only is today a day of equal night ("aequus"-"nox") and
   day time, but also a day when the sun rises precisely to the east and
   sets due west. Featured here is a picturesque road in northwest
   Illinois, USA that runs approximately east -west. The image was taken
   during the March Equinox of 2015, and shows the Sun down the road at
   sunset. In many cultures, this March equinox is taken to be the first
   day of a season, typically spring in Earth's northern hemisphere, and
   autumn in the south. Does your favorite street run east - west?
   Tonight, at sunset, you can find out with a quick glance.

               Tomorrow's picture: every single day last year
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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