March Equinox 2026: What will happen to Earth during equinox on 20 March?

March Equinox will take place on 20th March. (Image: Canva)

• March Equinox occurs on March 20, 2026, at 09:46 a.m. EST.
• Both hemispheres receive nearly equal sunlight during equinox.
• Day and night are almost equal, but daytime is slightly longer.

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One of the most intriguing events that will take place on Earth is on March 20th, 2026. The event is called March Equinox. March Equinox is the time of the year when Earth is said to be in almost perfect balance.

However, what really happens to Earth during this time? Is day really equal to night? The answer lies in the way Earth travels through space.

What Is the March Equinox?

The March Equinox occurs when Earth’s axis is tilted neither towards nor away from the Sun. At this precise moment the Sun is positioned directly above the equator.

Both hemispheres receive almost equal sunlight.

The boundary between day and night runs nearly straight from pole to pole. This alignment creates the effect of nearly equal day and night across the globe.

What Happens to Earth on This Day?

During the equinox, several unique planetary effects can be observed. Every location on Earth experiences roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, though not exactly equal due to atmospheric refraction.

Where will the March equinox be seen?

The March equinox will be witnessed "worldwide". Unlike eclipses or meteor showers that are visible only from certain regions, the equinox affects every location on the planet.

During this moment, the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from the southern half of the sky to the northern half.

The Sun Rises Due East and Sets Due West

On this day, the Sun follows a special path. It rises almost exactly in the east and sets almost exactly in the west. This is one of the few days in the year when this happens globally.

It will occur on March 20 at 09:46 a.m EST. At that exact moment, the Sun will be positioned directly above Earth’s equator. Earth is tilted at about 23.5 degrees, but during the equinox, this tilt is sideways relative to the Sun.

Is Day and Night Really Equal?

Despite the name “equinox” (meaning “equal night”), the reality is slightly more complex. Due to atmospheric refraction (bending of sunlight) and the Sun’s size as a disc, not a point. Daytime is actually a few minutes longer than night in most places.