Here's why:
* Equinoxes: The vernal (spring) and autumnal equinoxes mark the two times of year when the sun's rays shine directly on the equator. This means that day and night are approximately equal in length for all locations on Earth.
* Earth's Rotation: The Earth rotates on its axis from west to east. This means that the sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west.
* Equinox Alignment: During an equinox, the Earth's axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun. This results in the sun rising directly in the east and setting directly in the west for everyone on Earth.
Important Note: While the sun rises due east at the equinox, it doesn't necessarily mean it will rise exactly at the cardinal point east on your local horizon. Factors like your specific latitude and the presence of mountains or other features can shift the apparent sunrise location slightly.
