Bay Shore NY
9-13-2022 7:20pm

The Fall Equinox

SKYLARK’S FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK – THE FALL EQUINOX

Autumn is in the air as temperatures taper off to a more comfortable climate. The leaves are beginning to change color already, and we've had some rain. Hallelujah! The days are getting shorter, and the sunsets are a different color. Fall is just around the corner, and it kicks off with the Fall Equinox — pumpkin spice enthusiasts and astronomers rejoice.

The astronomical event of the Fall Equinox (or Spring Equinox for those in the Southern Hemisphere) happens at a certain time every year. This year the autumnal equinox will occur on Thursday, September 22 at 9:04 p.m., Eastern. That's next week! It will happen at the same point in time all across the Northern Hemisphere. There are ceremonies to honor this main event.

It is no mystery that the Earth is in constant motion around the Sun. On September 22, the Earth will be at a point in its orbit around the Sun in which the Sun will be aligned with Earth’s celestial equator. The celestial equator is the point in space that is directly above Earth’s equatorial line; the invisible line marks the halfway point between the North and South poles.

On the equinox, not only is the Sun aligned directly with the middle of the Earth, but the day and night are also of equal length. The name equinox is derived from the Latin term aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night. The days become shorter until the Winter Solstice, when the Sun’s points more toward the Southern Hemisphere.

So, what's so special about the Fall Equinox? With the days getting shorter, there are many more opportunities for astronomy; one positive to a time of year that many view as negative! Two days after the Fall Equinox, the New Moon will appear in the sky. This means the Moon will be completely covered in shadows, giving amateur astronomers a chance to see fainter objects that might normally be drowned out by the light of the moon at other phases. Astronomy buffs will also have a chance to view the Draconid and Orionid meteor showers in October. Get out your telescope! A really good pair of binoculars will do just fine, too.

As Stevie Wonder says, the seasons know exactly when to change. Just when we thought it would never rain again, it pours. Nature has perfect timing. We need not worry about what's to come because there's a perfect harmony in the natural world. She's right on time. All we have to do is look up and look down to see that things are in sync all around. 

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, spending time in nature and embracing the change of the seasons can give us hope for what's to come.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - ROBERT MOSES STATE PARK BEACH CLEANUP

Come on down to Robert Moses State Park Field 2 on Saturday, September 17th from 10:00am-12:00pm for Senator Phil Boyle's Beach Cleanup Event. This is a great way for the community to come together and help beautify our beaches. With miles of white sand, our beaches are frequented each summer by thousands of people so trash can build up. Let's all pitch in to keep our beautiful beaches beautiful for everyone.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - "AS" BY STEVIE WONDER

As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love's the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I'll be loving you always

As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
Just as all that's born is new
You know what I say is true
That I'll be loving you always

Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
(Always)
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
(Always)
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
(Always)
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

Did you know that true love asks for nothing?
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee?
To last through forever and another day

Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I'll be loving you always

As today I know I'm living but tomorrow
Could make me the past but that I mustn't fear
For I'll know deep in my mind
The love of me I've left behind
'Cause I'll be loving you always

Until the day is night and night becomes the day
(Always)
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
(Always)
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
(Always)
Until the day that is the day that are no more
(Did you know you're loved by somebody?)

Until the day the earth starts turnin' right to left
(Always)
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
(I'll be lovin' you forever)
Until dear mother nature says her work is through
(Always)
Until the day that you are me and I am you
(Always)
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
(Always)

We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your lifetimes that and twice it's double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed

So make sure when you say you're in it, but not of it
You're not helpin' to make this earth a place sometimes called Hell
Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love
And maybe our children's grandchildren
And their great grandchildren will tell

(I'll be loving you until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky)
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
(Loving you)
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
(Loving you)
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
(Loving you)
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

(Be loving you)
Until the day is night and night becomes the day
(Loving you)
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
(Loving you)
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
(Loving you)
Until the day that is the day that are no more
(Loving you)
Until the day the earth starts turnin' right to left

(I'll be loving you)
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
(Be loving you)
Until dear mother nature says her work is through
(Be loving you)
Until the day that you are me and I am you
(Now ain't I loving you?)
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky

(Ain't I loving you?)
Until the ocean severs every mountain high
(I've got to say always)
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
(Always)
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

(Always)
Until the day is night and night becomes the day
(Always)
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
(Always)
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the days that are no more
(Always)
Until the day the earth starts turnin' right to left
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself

(Always)
Until dear mother nature says her work is through
Until the day that you are me and I am you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Until the ocean severs every mountain high
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

Until the day is night and night becomes the day
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Until the day the earth starts turnin' right to left
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
Until dear mother nature says her work is through
Until the day that you are me and I am you

I am a columnist with Skylark Live Town News (SLTN) and write articles geared to the 60 and beyond population. Topics include human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been to in and around Bay Shore. I also write about restaurants and stores in the area. You can also watch my first Monday-of-the-month vlog, “60 and Beyond with Skylark" on my YouTube Channel, Skylark Live, that features topics covered in my articles from SLTN. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel as well as my free STLN newsletter that gets delivered directly to your email each Wednesday morning. To support SLTN, you can make a recurring monthly donation ($5 Friend or $15 Advocate) or a one-time donation of any amount. It's up to you, and it's easy to do on my feed. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. Please follow me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live. Thank you for your support.
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