Equinox Sunset

Here, at 6 p.m. old local time on March 21st, our Sun is being refracted up over the horizon at the midpoint of its biannual, azimuthal journey (also known as due West). This astronomical occurrence is called the vernal equinox and has the historical significance of marking the transition to the growing season in the northern hemisphere. In this picture, as well as industry creeping into this once pure event, an aircraft contrail has formed a cirrus cloud that obscures part of the Sun. Both signs of humans' influence on nature. [Canon EOS 350D Ljpg ISO 100 1/4000" 400mm lens @ f/15].