Lonnie Dawes, age 9, South Williamsport, Pa,, for his question:

What is the equinox?

In June we enjoy long summer days and short nights, while south of the equator the people are having short winter days and long nights. But turn about is fair play and in January they are having long summer days while we are having long winter nights.

Things change around at the equinox, a word meaning equal night. On March 21, which is the Spring Equinox, day and night are equal all over the world. This happens again at the Fall Equinox on September 23. After the Spring Equinox our days get longer and our nights get shorter. After the Fall Equinox our nights get longer and our days get shorter.