Autumn Astronomy
This is the point in Earth's orbit when the Northern Hemisphere tilts most directly away from the Sun, bringing the shortest day of the year.
What is the winter solstice?
This pigment gives many autumn leaves their yellow color once green chlorophyll breaks down.
What is xanthophyll?
Before sugar became widely available, this sweetener was commonly made from the sap of this tree.
What is the maple tree?
This mammal stores food in hidden caches rather than truly hibernating through the winter.
What is a squirrel?
In the Irish tale, this miserly figure was said to wander with a carved vegetable lantern.
Who is Stingy Jack?
This October full moon takes its name from the time of year when fields were traditionally cleared and plowed.
What the Hunter's Moon?
These red and purple leaf pigments are produced in some plants in autumn.
What are anthocyanins?
This ancient Roman festival, held in October, honored the goddess of fruit trees and gardens.
What was the festival of Pomona?
This change in day length is a major seasonal signal that prompts many animals to prepare for winter.
What is photoperiod (changing daylight)?
This Scottish festival on Oct. 31st included bonfires and rituals meant to protect people and livestock.
What is Samhain?
This meteor shower, caused by debris from Halley's Comet, typically peaks in October.
What are the Orionids?
This layer of cells forms at the base of a leaf stem and helps seal a tree's branch as the leaf drops.
What is the abscission layer?
This traditional English autumn celebration marked the end of the wheat harvest.
What is Lammas?
This is the name for the deep, prolonged winter dormancy of animals such as ground squirrels.
What is hibernation?
This German autumn tradition involves decorating a crown of grain, flowers and fruit to celebrate the harvest.
What is the Erntedankfeset harvest festival?
This star, part of the Summer Triangle, remains visible on autumn evenings in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is Vega?
Unlike deciduous trees, these trees retain their leaves or needles throughout winter.
What are evergreen trees?
This word for the last sheaf of grain harvested in a field appears in Scottish and Northern English harvest customs.
What is the kirn (or harness)?
These butterflies travel south in autumn to overwinter in Mexico.
What are Monarch Butterflies?
This North American harvest custom involves choosing a "queen" to preside over celebrations, often using a sheaf of grain as a symbol.
What is the harvest queen tradition?
What is the September equinox (autumn equinox)?
This term describes the fall color display or broadleaf forests, especially in eastern North America.
What is fall foliage (autumn foliage)?
The ancient Greek festival honored Demeter and Persephone and was held in autumn.
What were the Eleusinian Mysteries?
This process lets some insects survive freezing temperatures by producing substances that protect their cells.
What is freeze tolerance?
What is Guy Fawkes Night?