Cottonwood trees and red sandstone in Coyote Gulch, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah

© Stephen Matera/Tandem Stills + Motio

Awash in autumn hues. Autumnal equinox

Autumn has officially begun! In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox falls on September 23 this year, marking the beginning of autumn and the Earth and Sun's unique positions. Today is one of the two moments in the year when day and night are equal in length, thanks to the Sun's location exactly above the Equator. The same celestial phenomenon applies to the Southern Hemisphere, but it is their vernal equinox as they head into spring.

Camouflaged in autumn colours, this cottonwood tree in today's image might be playing peek-a-boo among the red sandstones of Coyote Gulch. Located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, southern Utah, the canyon is painted reddish-orange by the presence of oxidizing water and other fluids, and iron-filled minerals.