There are only two instances throughout the year where the world is perfectly aligned at this one particular Minnesota State Park. I just learned about this and I'm nerding out about it, it's just so cool!

Minnesota is one of a few states that truly gets all four seasons. Whether those seasons accurately line up with what the calendar says is a whole other thing, though.

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Canva
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But the calendar and the alignment of the sun and the Earth always line up. And so does something special at this Minnesota State Park.

The Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes

The spring equinox and autumnal equinox are just fancy ways to say 'The position of the sun says it's the next season now'. These are the particular days that something special happens at this Minnesota state park.

The Almanac writes it out more eloquently (and scientifically). On the first day of spring, that's "when the Sun crosses the celestial equator going south to north." Or, on the first day of fall, it's when the Sun crosses it from north to south.

They clarify that it's called the "'celestial' equator because it’s an imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator."

Federico Respini, Unsplash
Federico Respini, Unsplash
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The Equinoctial Line of Rocks at Blue Mounds State Park in Minnesota

That brings us to the perfect alignment at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, Minnesota. On the first day of spring and the first day of fall, a particular part of the park that's called the equinoctial rock alignment lines up perfectly with the sun rising and setting. It's quite amazing and picturesque!

Larry Paulson, It's a Minnesota Thing Facebook Group
Larry Paulson, It's a Minnesota Thing Facebook Group
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The Blue Mounds State Park Wikipedia site says that the 1,250-foot-long rock alignment was made by the Plains Indians back in the day. They did it to mark where the sun rises and sets at the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Today, the park keeps it preserved so we can all enjoy the amazing views.

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Sadly we just missed the spring equinox, but if you're at Blue Mounds State Park at the autumnal equinox make sure you're at the rock alignment at sunrise or sunset for a really cool, picturesque sight.

Speaking of picturesque, check out some picture-perfect Airbnbs around Minnesota that are perfect for a summer weekend away.

12 Picture-Perfect Minnesota Airbnb's to Stay in this Summer

Summer is fast approaching. If you want to get away from the day-to-day, here are some perfect Airbnb's in Minnesota to stay in and relax this summer.

Gallery Credit: Carly Ross

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