Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Spring Equinox Monday Has Trippy Astronomy for Oregon, the Coast

Published 03/17/2017 at 4:03 AM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Spring Equinox Monday Has Trippy Astronomy for Oregon, the Coast

(Oregon Coast) – Spring will swoop down into Oregon and the coast on Monday, March 20, with the season officially starting at 3:29 a.m. that morning. It is technically known as the vernal equinox: the day when both the north and south poles of the Earth are at equal distance towards the sun – which is 92.6 million miles away.

Jim Todd, astronomy expert with Portland's OMSI, said at that moment the sun will be directly over the Earth's equator.

“We will then be halfway towards summer, with the winter days soon behind us for another year,” Todd said. “The first day of spring, or the 'vernal' equinox, gets its term from vernal meaning 'green', and equinox meaning 'equal night', which simply means that on this equinox which edges us into the warmer months, the hours of daylight are equal to the hours of night.”

It's interesting to note the sunrise and sunset differences between the Oregon coast and inland, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. On March 20, sunrise for both Cannon Beach and Newport (100 or so miles apart) is listed at 7:16 a.m. Sunset for both towns is at 7:29 p.m.

In Portland, sunrise is at 7:10 a.m. - six minutes earlier than the coast. Sunset inland is at 7:24 p.m., about five minutes earlier than the beaches.

Head even farther south to Coos Bay and sunset and sunrise are one minute later than Newport and Cannon Beach.

Todd let on a few other fun facts about the equinox in Oregon. In Portland, for example, the noon sun attains its absolute mid-point in the sky at 1:18 p.m., where it will be 45 degrees from the southern horizon.

“On the first day of spring, the sun rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west,” Todd said.

Each day after that it rises just a little bit farther north until the summer solstice on June 20. It will set in the same place for a few days after that.

On March 20, day and night will be equal length over just about all of the Earth, except at the poles. That's when some trippy refraction takes place: where the curvature of the Earth's atmosphere actually bends the sun's rays. This will make the sun visible there through the night, even during those 12 hours the sun is below the horizon. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this event - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours









 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

 

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

 


 


Coastal Spotlight

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Swarm of Ten Quakes Off S. Oregon Coast, 7 Within Minutes
It started Monday and lasted through Wed morning near Bandon, Port Orford. Marine sciences, geology
Hatfield Marine Science Center's Marine Science Day Returns to Newport, Orego...
Science fair and open house on Saturday, April 13
Astoria, Oregon's Wine Competition Wraps Up, Announces Winners
Nearly 100 wines submitted by 24 wineries
Velella Like a Thick Carpet at Some Oregon Coast Spots
At least one spot near Newport is report large masses. Marine sciences
Oregon History Made as Coastal Lighthouse Near Florence Celebrates 130 Years
Saturday means tours of the BnB, raffles, live music. Florence events, Newport events
Cuteness on Parade: Gleneden Beach Pet Parade March 30 Benefits Oregon Coast ...
Gleneden Beach Pet Party and Parade near Lincoln City. Lincoln City events
South Oregon Coast Spring Break: from Whales to Deserted Beaches
Maybe a new spring break tradition could be in order? Check out these beach vibes. South coast events
Herbert's 'Dune' Not All Sci-Fi: Real Science Behind Oregon Place That Inspir...
OSU has been researching here for decades; Dunes also in trouble. Florence, south Oregon coast

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted

Oregon Coast Lodging
Rentals
Specials

Dining

Events Calendar

Oregon Coast Weather

Travel News

Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles

Virtual Tours, Maps
Deep Details