can someone tell me if this is the equinox that you can stand an egg on end? I did it a few years ago .?

Answer 1

That is an urban legend.

1. Typically, explanations about the balancing act involve gravity. One explanation that I've heard suggested that gravity is "balanced" when the sun is over the earth's equator. Another gravity-based explanation is that the sun exerts a greater gravitational attraction on the earth on these two days. If gravity is involved in balancing the egg shouldn't other objects balance as well? Or is gravity selective such that only an egg is affected on this particular day?

2. The equinox is a certain day, while the sun is actually at the
equinox point for an instant (0 degrees on the celestial equator and 12 hours within the constellation Virgo). Therefore, shouldn't the egg only be balanced at the specific time that the sun reaches that position?

3. If the Sun's gravity is involved, shouldn't latitude have an
effect? For example I live at 40 degrees north. Shouldn't the egg lean at an angle pointing towards the sun where I live---and if so, then it should only be standing straight up at the equator?

Answer 2

You can stand an egg on end any day of the year. It's an old wive's tale that it only works on the equinox - it works any day.

Hints for standing an egg on end: Shake it up a lot first if you haven't boiled it. Also, if you spread some salt on the table, it's easier to stand it on end - and then you can blow away the extra salt.

Answer 3

I think the equinox is the only time anybody ever attempts to stand an egg on its end. There's no reason to think that it is any easier to do on that day than on any other.

Answer 4

You can do it on any day of the year