Despite the lingering summer warmth in much of Poland, autumn is fast approaching. While we may still be enjoying pleasant temperatures, nature has already begun signalling the change of season. The most obvious sign? Shorter days and longer nights, with sunset now occurring around 6:40 PM. This trend will continue until the winter solstice when the Northern Hemisphere experiences its longest night and shortest day of the year.
The Autumnal Equinox: A Key Milestone Signaling the Start of Astronomical Autumn
But before we get there, another important milestone awaits the autumnal equinox, marking the official start of astronomical autumn. This event takes place between September 21 and 24 in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s when the Earth’s tilt causes the sun’s rays to fall directly on the equator. This year, the equinox occurs on September 22 at exactly 2:43 PM (UTC/GMT +2h). From this point on, the Southern Hemisphere will receive more sunlight than the Northern Hemisphere for the next six months, signalling the arrival of cooler days ahead.
Astronomical and Calendar Autumn Begin Together on September 23, Marking the Seasonal Shift
Interestingly, this year the first day of both astronomical and calendar autumn will coincide on September 23. While the autumnal equinox shifts slightly each year, the calendar start of autumn is fixed, always falling on September 23 and lasting until December 21, when winter officially begins.
The shift in seasons also brings with it the end of daylight saving time. In 2024, clocks will be turned back one hour during the night of October 26-27, from 3:00 AM to 2:00 AM (UTC/GMT +2h), giving us an extra hour of sleep. However, this also means earlier sunsets and even shorter days.