Today, September 23, 2023, marks the official beginning of fall, also known as the autumnal equinox. According to Almanac.com, the equinox occurred at 01:50 A.M. Central Daylight Time (CDT) in the Northern Hemisphere. This celestial event happens when the Sun crosses the "celestial equator," an imaginary extension of Earth's equator line into space. The equinox is a global event, occurring at the same moment worldwide.

The autumnal equinox is an astronomical event that signifies the onset of autumn. During this time, the Sun crosses the celestial equator, leading to roughly equal lengths of day and night. Following the equinox, days become shorter and nights longer until the winter solstice, after which the cycle reverses.

The winter solstice, or the first day of winter, for 2023 is set to occur on Thursday, December 21, at 9:27 P.M. Central Standard Time (CST).

One interesting aspect of the autumnal equinox is its relationship with the Harvest Moon, the full Moon that occurs nearest to the equinox. This phenomenon provides farmers with extra light to complete their harvests before the onset of colder weather. The Harvest Moon rises around sunset for several consecutive nights, allowing for extended work hours in the fields.