WDIV and TODAY explain the Vernal Equinox

Happy Vernal Equinox! Instead of Neil deGrasse Tyson explaining the Vernal Equinox, I have two sets of weather and science reporters along with anchors and other hosts doing the honors, beginning with WDIV asking and answering What happens during the vernal equinox? Paul Gross explains.

The vernal equinox occurs at 11:33 a.m. this Sunday morning. That’s the official start of spring. But have you ever wondered exactly what will happen at that exact moment? Local 4Caster Paul Gross has a pretty cool explanation.

If I ever see a story in which Jason Calthorp displays a lack of science comprehension, I will remember this segment and understand why.

TODAY had an even goofier group participating in What Actually Is The Spring Equinox? Dylan Dreyer Explains.

This weekend the calendar will flip to the spring equinox, which is the time when the sun crosses equator line, heading north. TODAY’s Dylan Dreyer explains that this event marks the spring season in the northern half of the globe.

I like using models better than diagrams for this kind of demonstration. It gives not only depth but a tactile/kinesthetic dimension to the explanation. As the video shows, it also gives some opportunity for mischief. This segment in particular gave Al Roker an opening to fail the Butt-Head half of the Beavis and Butt-Head test by enjoying himself a little too much when he said Uranus.


Enough comedy. I hope you all enjoyed this moment of science to conclude the eleventh year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News. Stay tuned for International Day of Nowruz and this blog's 11th birthday to begin my twelfth year of blogging here.