The first day of autumn is the day of the autumn equinox which is distinct from a solstice

The fall season begins with the 9th hour of September. p.m. ET Thursday, a date officially recognized as the fall Equinox.

Solstices and equinoxes only occur twice in the year the days that begin fall as well as spring fall on equinoxes and those that begin winter and summer are solstices.

When it is the equinox the Earth is not tilting either toward and away from the Sun so it gets the same amount of sunlight and darkness, as per the National Weather Service.

At the equinox, the name “Chicagohenge” emerges from the city’s soaring buildings

For those who live near the line of the equator, the sun appears to be right overhead around noon on those days.

The night and day appear to be the same due to the curvature of the sun’s light, which allows the sun to appear higher than the horizon, even though it’s actually below it.