Equinox

An equinox is a celestial event that occurs twice a year when the plane of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun. During an equinox, the duration of day and night is almost equal all over the world. The word "equinox" is derived from the Latin words "aequus," meaning equal, and "nox," meaning night.

Explanation of the Correct Answer (Option B)

The correct answer to the question is option B: Neither of the poles is tilted towards the sun.

To understand why this answer is correct, it is essential to have a basic understanding of the Earth's tilt and its effect on seasons.

- Earth's Tilt: The Earth is tilted on its axis at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt is the primary reason for the changing seasons on our planet.

- Solstices: The two solstices occur when one of the Earth's poles is tilted towards or away from the Sun to its maximum extent. The summer solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Conversely, the winter solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The opposite is true for the Southern Hemisphere.

- Equinoxes: During the equinoxes, neither of the poles is tilted towards or away from the Sun. As a result, the rays of the Sun fall directly on the equator, making the duration of day and night nearly equal all over the world. There are two equinoxes in a year: the spring (vernal) equinox in March and the autumnal equinox in September.

Therefore, the correct answer is B because during an equinox, neither of the poles is tilted towards the Sun. This alignment leads to equal day and night durations across the globe.