At approximately 1:19 pm this afternoon, the autumnal equinox will take place, and sunlight will slowly diminish until the winter solstice on December 21st. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that when the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle. The Gazette reports that the Northern Hemisphere's autumnal equinox can fall between September 21 and 24, depending on the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23. The Gazette reports that the fall equinox is often connected to harvest festivals in the Northern Hemisphere.