Golden Hour: Spring Equinox Sunset
Join us at sunset on the West Terrace (weather permitting) to mark the start of spring with beautiful views and live musical accompaniment. Follow Griffith Observatory’s Instagram and Facebook for bonus content.
Upcoming Equinox and Solstice Events at Griffith Observatory
Spring Equinox - Sunset
Griffith Observatory marks the start of spring in the northern hemisphere with a live presentation (weather permitting) focused on the Sun as it sets on the western horizon at 7:05 p.m., PDT. Inscribed lines in the West Terrace show exactly where the Sun will set on the equinox. Observatory staff will discuss how the position of the setting Sun changes with the seasons. Learn more about the seasons here.
With Musical Accompaniment by cellist Kestrin Pantera
Cellist Kestrin Pantera is expected to mark the first day of Spring with a live performance as the Sun sets. Pantera is a classically trained cellist-turned-rocker who has toured with bands and performed alongside Weezer, Beck, and Brandi Carlile. She now plays electric cello and sings with a “Middle Aged Dad Jam Band” comprised of David Wain, Ken Marino and a revolving group of musicians, including “Weird Al” Yankovic, Kathryn Hahn and Paul Rudd- though she is technically not a middle-aged-dad.
Seasons
Spring begins in Earth’s northern hemisphere at 7:46 a.m. PDT, March 20. Autumn begins in the southern hemisphere at the same time. The March/vernal equinox is the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator (the projection of Earth’s equator into space) from south to north.
What Is Spring?
From the spring equinox until the start of summer – the summer solstice in June – days will get longer, and the noon elevation of the Sun will increase. This happens because the Earth’s axis is tilted 23½ degrees to its orbit. Day and night are of equal length today.