Earth, Moon, and Sun: Earth in Space
Define orbit
A path
Define calendar
A system of organizing time that defines the beginning, length, and divisions of a year.
What is the Winter Solstice?
December 21. Sun is farthest south of the equator. Winter in Northern Hemisphere and Summer in Southern Hemisphere. The Northern Hemisphere is receiving less sunlight than the Southern Hemisphere.
How does the solar angle effect the Earth's surface?
Direct sunlight results in a higher concentration of sunlight. At the equator, the temperature stays constant because it receives direct light from the sun. The Poles are cold because the light they receive is indirect, therefore it is spread over a large area.
What is the Summer Solstice?
June 21. The sun is farthest north of the equator. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The Northern Hemisphere is receiving more sunlight than the Southern Hemisphere.
What is the Vernal (Spring) Equinox?
March 21. Marks the beginning of spring. Incoming solar energy is equal in both hemispheres.
What is an equinox?
Neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun. The noon sun is directly overhead at the equator. Day and night are 12 hours long everywhere on Earth.
What is the Autumnal Equinox?
September 22. Marks the beginning of Autumn. Incoming solar energy is equal in both hemispheres.
Why is it usually colder near the poles than near the equator?
Sunlight hits the Earth most directly at the equator. The sunlight is condensed. Near the poles, sunlight arrives at a steep angle. As a result, it is spread over a greater area.
Why does the Earth have seasons?
The Earth's axis is tilted at a 23.5° angle as it revolves around the sun. Tilt changes the length of daylight, resulting in more daylight hours and more light exposure. This creates warmer temperatures.
What is the solar angle?
The angle at which light hits the Earth's surface.
What is a solstice?
The day when the sun is farthest north or south of the equator. Summer and Winter.
Define axis
The imaginary line that passes through Earth's center and the North and South Poles
Define revolution
The movement of an object around another
Define rotation
The spinning of Earth on its axis
Define astronomy
The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space
What movement causes years?
revolution
What movement causes day and night on Earth?
rotation
