Interesting Facts About Today, Sept. 22nd, AKA the First Day of Fall 2017

It's finally fall, even though we are still in the low to high 90's and sometimes even triple digits here in West Texas. I found some interesting facts to pass on to you about the Fall season...

Americans typically refer to this time of year as “fall,” while the British use the word “autumn.” Both terms date back to the 16th century, but before that it was called harvest because of the “harvest moon” that occurs when the full moon is closest to the autumn equinox. Before man-made lighting, this moonlight was essential to a prosperous harvest.

Men and women experience high levels of testosterone during the fall. As a result, more babies are conceived during the fall and winter. Makes you wonder if humans truly have a “mating season”. One thing is for sure... September is the most popular birth month of the year.

An analysis of Facebook data found that more people change their relationship status from “single” to “in a relationship” or “engaged” in autumn than the yearly average, while more break-ups occurred in summer.

Weight gain around this time of year seems to be common. Researchers have found that lack of vitamin D reduces fat breakdown and triggers fat storage.Researchers think that lower levels of vitamin D (due to shorter days and less contact with sunshine) is in part responsible for autumn and winter weight gain.

A study in the Journal of Aging Research found that babies born during the Autumn months are more likely to live to 100 than those born during the rest of the year, even though they can't explain why.

When it comes to the changing colors outdoors during fall, the yellow and orange colors you see actually always exist in leaves but they are overpowered by the abundance of green from chlorophyll. The amount of chlorophyll starts to decrease as the sun weakens and the days grow shorter.  The leaves start to fall off of the trees and that is why autumn is also called the fall.

Many birds and butterflies prepare for their winter migration during the fall and many are already on their way!

In case you are wondering how the seasons change during our 2017 calendar year, check it out below:

SPRING EQUINOX March 20, 6:29 A.M. EDT
SUMMER SOLSTICE June 21, 12:24 A.M. EDT
FALL EQUINOX September 22, 4:02 P.M. EDT
WINTER SOLSTICE December 21, 11:28 A.M. EST

The Autumn Equinox today is one of two days during the year when the sun is exactly in line with Earth’s celestial equator. As a result, Earth receives exactly 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. The easiest way to relate to the word “equinox” is to remember that it is Latin meaning “equal night.”

Welcome to Fall. Hopefully it will start to feel like it in West Texas...Soon!