constellations

Hope this helps, Patricia.

The ecliptic and the equator intercept at two points, associated with the zodiacal constellations of Aries and Libra. The first point of Aries, , is defined to be the point where the Sun, moving along the ecliptic, crosses the celestial equator from south to north. This occurs at the spring equinox (or vernal equinox), on March 21, when day and night are of equal length (hence the name). The first point of Aries is sometimes referred to as the vernal (or spring) equinox and marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. Day and night are also of equal length at the autumnal equinox, on September 21, when the Sun crosses the celestial equator from north to south in the constellation of Libra, . The autumnal equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere.


Source (near the bottom)