MANILA, Philippines - Night will become longer than daytime in the Philippines after the autumnal equinox this Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.
“This year’s autumnal equinox will occur on Sept. 22 at 10:21 p.m. Hence, thereafter, Philippine nights will be longer as the sun moves below the celestial equator towards the southern hemisphere,” PAGASA said in its monthly astronomical diary.
The length of day and night is equal during the autumnal equinox.
This astronomical event signifies the approach of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere, according to the weather bureau.
The autumn equinox occurs every year in September, marking the point at which the sun passes the celestial equator in a southwards direction.
The earth tilts upward on its axis, exposing the countries below the equator to more sun and those above it to less sun, PAGASA said.
Festivals held
In countries such as Iran, Japan and Korea, holidays and public festivals take place to mark the autumnal equinox.
Romans also celebrate the autumn equinox to praise Pomona, the goddess of fruitful abundance and growth.
Colder days
PAGASA earlier said Filipinos may experience colder days ahead as the southwest monsoon that usually brings rains and humid weather in the western section of the country has started to weaken.
The weakening southwest monsoon may signal the start of the transition to the northeast monsoon, which brings colder air from Siberia.
The northeast monsoon normally sets in in the second half of October.