First Day of Fall 2012: Autumn Starts with September Equinox

First Day Of Fall 2012, USA/Canada: What is the date and time for the Autumnal Equinox? When does Daylight Savings Time end?

Autumn is almost here, the first day of fall 2012 is officially just under two weeks away; and depending on where you live in the U.S. and Canada it can feel like an autumn breeze is blowing (Vancouver) or like the high heat of summer like it is for people in New York City.

Fall for 2012 begins in the Northern Hemisphere on September 22, 10:49 A.M. EDT. This is known as the Autumnal Equinox.

The Autumnal Equinox, or the September equinox occurs the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from north to south.

Photos

Autumn at Bayne Park | Photo 03

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uploaded by Loci Lenar

This happens either on September 22, 23, or 24 every year. On any other day of the year, the Earth's axis tilts a little away from or towards the Sun. But on the two equinoxes, the Earth's axis tilts neither away from nor towards the Sun,

There are two equinoxes every year – in September and March – when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. Seasons are opposite on either side of the equator, so the equinox in September is also known as the "autumnal (fall) equinox" in the northern hemisphere. However, in the southern hemisphere, it's known as the "spring (vernal) equinox". 

Day Light Savings Time

The other important date is the changing the clock from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time in 2010, that does not happen until November.

Daylight Savings Time Dates And Times 2012

• DST 2012: DST  began Sunday, March 11, 2012,2:00am, and ends Sunday, November 4, 2012, 2:00am.

Standard Time Dates And Times 2012

• Standard time begins each year at 2:00 A.M. on the first Sunday in November, with clocks moving one hour back.