Reader points out our equinox mix-up

Your short history lessons on Barrington in the Neighbor section are interesting and informative. Being a retired educator, I am urged to point out a small error.

In the Friday, Sept. 4, edition you refer to the autumnal solstice which is, in fact, the autumnal equinox. On the autumnal and vernal (spring) equinox, the sun is directly over the equator. On the summer and winter solstice the sun is over the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees north), or the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees south), respectively.(Dr. Leiner, my earth science prof, would be proud of me.)

Nevertheless, you have enough points to retain the A.

Richard J. Piagari

Des Plaines