Equinox fun: Track the sun’s shift now until the solstice
On this equinox, start tracking the sunset point on your western horizon. You'll see a mighty shift between now and the June solstice. The post Equinox fun: Track the sun’s shift now until the solstice first appeared on EarthSky .
The September equinox will occur on September 23, 2026, at 0:05 UTC, which is equivalent to 19:05 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on the preceding day. This is when the sun will rise directly in the east and set directly in the west. The sun's movement along the horizon, either at sunrise or sunset, becomes most noticeable during the equinoxes.
In the weeks and months following the September equinox, you may easily observe the sun's shift northward each day. To witness this phenomenon, consider using a grid of streets as a reference or placing bits of tape on an east- or west-facing window. Alternatively, find a clear spot with an unobstructed view of the horizon and stand in the same location each time you observe the sunrise or sunset.
By noting the sunrise or sunset point every week or 10 days, you will easily see the sun's southward shift between now and the December solstice.
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