March is named for the Roman god of war,
Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been
interrupted by winter. But what comes to your mind when you think of March? You
might say “Srping” when the weather gradually becomes warmer and brings gentle
south breeze.
Can you answer the following questions about
Spring?
1.
Does Spring begin on March 1 or on the
Equinox?
2.
Are day and night equal on the vernal Equinox?
3.
According to folklore, you can stand a raw egg
on its end on the Equinox. Is this true?
4.
Which day has the most sunlight in North
America?
5.
The March Full Moon is called _____________
Moon, because ___________ and grubs are reappearing in this month.
6.
Did you know that the increasing sunlight
inspires _____________ to sing? Just like Karen Carpenter sings, I wonder why _____________
suddenly appear every time Spring is near!
7.
Trees, shrubs, and flowers are sensitive to
temperature and day length, too. Since ancient days, people have used natural
events as indicators of when the weather is right for ___________________. For example,
blooming crocuses are your cue to _____________ radishes, parsnips, and
spinach.
Answer Keys
1. Both.
The answer depends on your definitions of “Spring”. Both dates are accurate;
they’re just from different perspectives. Astronomically speaking, the first
day of Spring is marked by the Spring Equinox, which falls on March 19, 20, or
21 every year. This date only signals spring’s beginning in the Northern
Hemisphere; it announces fall’s arrival in the Southern Hemisphere.
2. Meteorologically speaking,
the official first day of spring is March 1 and the last day is May 31, which
is based on the annual temperature cycles rather than on the position of Earth
in relation to the Sun.
3. No,
but they are quite close to equal. In reality, day and night are not exactly
equal on the Equinox for two reasons: First, daytime begins the moment any part
of the Sun appears over the horizon and is not finished until the last part of
the Sun disappears below the horizon.
4. As
with most folklore, it’s only partly true. You should be able to balance an egg
on its end on the equinox, but it’s possible to balance an egg on other days, too.
Try this yourself and let me know what happens. (Tip: You’ll probably have
better luck balancing an egg if you try it on a rough surface or use an egg
that has a bumpy end.)
5. The
date of the longest day, called Summer Solstice – from June 20 to 22 – gets the
most daylight.
6. Worm
Moon
7. birds
8. planting,
plant
