Why Spring Begins Early This Year: Wed. 7:02 a.m. EDT

by Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist

Date: 18 March 2013 Time: 05:53 PM ET

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Vernal equinox, March 20, 2013. CREDIT: Starry Night Software

Lately, around this time of year, I often get letters from people wondering why spring begins early this year. Many folks assume the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere — also known as the vernal equinox — has always come on March 21. But this year seems to be an exception, for in 2013 the first day of spring comes on Wednesday, March 20 at 11:02 UT, or 7:02 a.m. EDT/4:02 a.m. PDT.

Now this doesn't seem right. When many of us were growing up, the first day of spring was always on March 21, not March 20, right? Now, all of a sudden, spring comes on March 20. How did that happen?

While it's true that we've tended to celebrate the beginning of spring on March 21 in recent years, astronomers and calendar manufacturers alike say that this year, the spring season starts one day earlier, March 20, in all time zones in North America.

More - Link >>> http://www.space.com/20279-spring-begins-early-2013.html

Source: Space.com .

Related Blog Post ---

Spring & Rocket Barrage !!! (2012 March 19):
Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-rocket-barrage-vernal-equinox.html 

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