No, May 22-28 is Not the Equinox: Expert Opinion and Scientific Evidence Dispel Myths

At a time when multiple regions across the sub-continent are reeling under a severe heatwave, numerous posts are going viral on social media asking people to consume more water for about a week to avoid dehydration due to a phenomenon called Equinox. Here are two such posts:

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Numerous users have posted the same message across social media platforms and messaging apps, leading to confusion among the public. 

But is this claim valid?  

Is the period between May 22-28 the Equinox?

Does Equinox lead to such weather conditions that it causes dehydration?

Fact Crescendo decided to verify the information. Here’s what we found:

Fact Check

At the beginning of the search, we looked for specific and reliable information about Equinox. The Britannica website states “equinox, either of the two moments in the year when the Sun is exactly above the Equator and day and night are of equal length; also, either of the two points in the sky where the ecliptic (the Sun’s annual pathway) and the celestial equator intersect. The vernal equinox, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs about March 21, when the Sun moves north across the celestial equator. The autumnal equinox falls about September 23, as the Sun crosses the celestial equator going south.”

Britannica | Archived Link

When we searched for more information in this regard, we learned that this message advising people to consume more water during the Equinox between May 22-28 has been in circulation for a few years now. We came across news articles debunking the same as far back as 2016. You can read them here (archived link) and here.  

From the above evidence, we can understand that contrary to the information in the viral message, May 22 to May 28 is not Equinox. The equinoxes occur only on March 21 and September 23 of the year. The message has been going viral since 2016 and various reliable news agencies have reported that this is not true. 

To know more, our colleague at Fact Crescendo Assamese contacted astronomer Babul Bora, Curator cum JSO of the Guwahati Planetarium, to get an expert opinion on the matter. On being asked about the contents of the viral message, he said that the equinoxes occur only on March 21 and September 23 of the year, adding that there is no equinox from May 22 to 28. Regarding the connection between Equinox and the body becoming dehydrated, Bora said there is no scientific basis for Equinox to be associated with dehydration. Drinking plenty of water regularly should be a normal process as the body is usually dehydrated during summer. 

It is also important to note that maintaining the right amount of water in the body is essential not only during the equinoxes but also on any other day, especially in summer. The body must be adequately hydrated to ensure optimal health and well-being. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a heat wave warning in several parts of the country. The public is also advised to take necessary safety precautions to protect themselves from the adverse effects of overheating.

From several scientific articles, reports from various reliable news agencies, and the statement from astronomer and curator of Guwahati Planetarium Babul Bora, we have come to the conclusion that the message that has gone viral is false. May 22 to May 28 is not an equinox. There is also no scientific basis for the body to become dehydrated with the Equinox or the Equinox. Therefore, drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated during the summer months is essential, as the body is naturally dehydrated. 

Result

Fact Crescendo’s investigation has confirmed that the claim is false. Equinox does not occur between May 22 and May 28; it only takes place on March 21 and September 23. There is no scientific basis for the statement that the body loses water due to Equinox.