Can you really balance an egg on the equinox?
We looked into the 'weather lore' that says you can balance an egg during the autumn and spring equinoxes. Turns out you may just need a light touch and a good egg.
There are a few urban myths surrounding the equinoxes that make their rounds on the internet each year, no matter how often they're debunked.
The balancing act
Whenever the equinox is approaching, spring or fall, word spreads that this is the day to perform a "fantastical feat" of egg balancing.
While balancing an egg on its narrow end is challenging at any time, the equinox in no way makes that task easier.
These two eggs were balanced on there ends on March 24, 2015, four days after the equinox. (Scott Sutherland)
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The reason for this? Basically, while it's true that every object in the universe tugs on every other object, here on Earth's surface, our planet's gravity completely overwhelms any other gravitational forces we (or eggs we are balancing) might experience.
The Moon's gravity is the next strongest influence, followed by the Sun, and they are the reasons for our ocean tides. However, the tides only occur due to the cumulative effect of these objects simultaneously pulling on each individual molecule in an immense body of water. For something as small as an egg, the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun is so weak that it has no effect whatsoever.
Only three factors matter in balancing eggs: the stability of the surface you are using, the 'bumpiness' of the eggs being balanced, and the steadiness of your hands.