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U.S. Enters Astronomical Fall on September 22, 2026

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 3:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The United States begins astronomical fall at the autumnal equinox on September 22, 2026 at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Meteorological fall started September 1, 2026 and runs through November 30, per AccuWeather.
The equinox aligns the Sun directly over the equator, creating nearly equal daylight and darkness.
After the equinox, daylight shortens about three minutes per day, the fastest loss of light.
The winter solstice on December 21, 2026 marks the shortest day and the start of astronomical winter.

History

Historical Context

At the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C., in October 1884, 41 delegates from 25 nations chose the Airy transit circle at Greenwich Observatory as the world’s zero longitude, a decision that standardized global timekeeping. That Greenwich-based system lets the United States observe the 2026 September 22 equinox at 8:05 p.m. ET.

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Story summary

The United States begins astronomical fall at the autumnal equinox on September 22, 2026 at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Meteorological fall started September 1, 2026 and runs through November 30, per AccuWeather.
The equinox aligns the Sun directly over the equator, creating nearly equal daylight and darkness.
After the equinox, daylight shortens about three minutes per day, the fastest loss of light.
The winter solstice on December 21, 2026 marks the shortest day and the start of astronomical winter.

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