Bandung, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia will experience a natural astronomical event known as the equinox phenomenon, on Monday, September 23, 2024. This phenomenon occurs when the Sun is positioned directly above the equator, resulting in an increase of sunlight intensity across the nation. While some associate the equinox with rising temperatures, experts caution that the relationship between this event and temperature changes in Indonesia is not as straightforward as it seems.
Will the Equinox Phenomenon Cause an Increase in Temperature?
Thomas Djamaluddin, a senior researcher in astronomy and astrophysics at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), dispelled the misconception that the equinox directly causes a spike in temperatures in Indonesia. In a statement to Kompas on Sunday, September 22, 2024, Djamaluddin explained that while the equinox does affect the distribution of heat on Earth, other factors such as wind patterns and cloud cover have a more significant impact on temperatures in the region.
Similarly, Dwi Rini Endra Sari, Sub-Coordinator for Press and Media Relations at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), acknowledged that the equinox might lead to a slight rise in temperature, but the effect is not significant. Indonesia is not expected to experience a drastic increase in maximum temperatures during this astronomical event. The equinox, she emphasized, is distinct from a heatwave and does not lead to extreme, prolonged temperature surges.
Experts have also warned about the broader impact of excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which could lead to ozone layer depletion. This, in turn, could allow more ultraviolet (UV) radiation to penetrate the atmosphere, potentially influencing weather conditions and temperatures.
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What is the Equinox and What it Cause?
According to BMKG, the equinox is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year when the Sun crosses the equator. In 2024, the first equinox took place on March 21, marking the spring equinox. While the second, the autumn equinox, will occur on September 23.
During the equinox, the Earth is closest to the Sun, and tropical regions near the equator receive maximum solar radiation. However, this does not necessarily lead to a drastic or extreme rise in air temperature. The equinox is not comparable to a heatwave, which can cause prolonged and extreme temperature increases.
As explained by the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), during the equinox, the Sun is directly over the equator at zero latitude (0º latitude). While this results in a slight midday temperature increase, especially near the equator, the overall temperature rise is usually moderate. Another feature of the equinox is that it brings equal hours of daylight and nighttime wit 12 hours each across the globe.
(Raidi/Agung)
