vernal equinox

Other forms: vernal equinoxes

Definitions of vernal equinox

1. noun

   the moment when the sun's rays shine directly on the equator, marking the beginning of spring in either the northern or southern hemisphere
   synonyms: spring equinox
2. noun

   (astronomy) the point in the sky, currently in the constellation of Pisces, where the Sun's apparent path crosses Earth's equator from south to north
   type of:

   equinoctial point, equinox

   (astronomy) either of the two celestial points at which the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic