Watch Earth transition into Autumn from 1.5 million kilometers away.

On September 21st, 2024, day and night are equal again, for the second time in the year. From the L1 Lagrange point, Earth's axial tilt is pulling back toward winter in the north. Forests across Europe and North America are changing color, the first Arctic sea ice is forming, and the Atlantic hurricane season is at its peak, fed by months of warm ocean water. In the southern hemisphere, the same date is the spring equinox. Austral spring brings heavy rains and floods to South America, and Antarctic sea ice begins its annual retreat toward its February minimum. Two seasons happening at the same time, on the same planet, because of a 23.5 degree tilt.

Vivaldi's sonnet for Autumn, 1724:

The peasant celebrates by dancing and singing
The pleasure of the rich harvest,
And full of Bacchus liquor
They end their rejoicings with a sleep.
Each peasant ceases his dance and song.
The mild air gives pleasure,
And the season invites many
To enjoy a sweet slumber.

The hunters, at the break of dawn, go to the hunt.
With horns, guns, and dogs they are off,
The beast flees, and they follow its trail.
Already fearful and exhausted by the great noise,
Of guns and dogs, and wounded,
The exhausted beast tries to flee, but dies.

Vivaldi captured the abundance and brutality of autumn in equal measure. The Earth does too.