warm up 1.think about how the weather changes throughout the year (from january to december)....

Warm UpWarm UpWarm UpWarm Up1.Think about how the weather

changes throughout the year (from January to December). Describe in complete sentences or draw detailed pictures (at least 4) to show how the weather changes throughout the year.

Our revolution and rotation is determined by how close or how far we are from the sun

In astronaut terms, this is determined by the astronomical unit-1 A.U. is the distance from Earth to the Sun

-The Earth, like all planets, orbits (revolves around) the sun

How long is one full revolution? 365.25

days

=

1 year

• The Earth rotates on its axis • 1 full rotation = one day

DAYwarmer

NIGHTcooler

• Earth’s axis is not straight– Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5° from

vertical

• Earth’s axis is not straight– Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5° from

vertical

4

23.5° tilt

Our Modern CalendarOur Modern Calendar

• Day is the time required for the Earth to rotate on its axis. (23hr56min)

• Length of day animation– http://www3.eboard.com/boards/16/92/94/B

rownstein/att-1573310/LengthofDay%5B1%5D.swf

• Day is the time required for the Earth to rotate on its axis. (23hr56min)

• Length of day animation– http://www3.eboard.com/boards/16/92/94/B

rownstein/att-1573310/LengthofDay%5B1%5D.swf

• The Earth’s orbit actually looks like this

This shows orbit

• Why does that matter?The Earth’s tilted axis allows us to

have seasons

EXAMPLE!

warmer

cooler

• 4 seasons based on Earth’s position to the sun• What affects our position to the sun?!

Winter

Summer

FallSpring

Tilt (towards/neutral/away)

Radiation (high/neutr

al/low)

Temperature (warm/

moderate/cool)

Season

Summer

Winter

Fall

Spring

11

Alien Planets ActivityAlien Planets Activity

12

Scale of the UniverseScale of the Universe

• http://scaleofuniverse.com• http://scaleofuniverse.com

POSTCARDPOSTCARD• Pick a place on the map you will travel to

over winter break.• Write a postcard telling your friend what

season it is there. Explain why it is that season. Describe what the temperature is like.

• For the picture on your postcard (on the back), draw what the Earth and sun would look like for this season.

• Pick a place on the map you will travel to over winter break.

• Write a postcard telling your friend what season it is there. Explain why it is that season. Describe what the temperature is like.

• For the picture on your postcard (on the back), draw what the Earth and sun would look like for this season.

14

1

23

4

1. Alaska2. South

Africa3. Brazil4. England

1. Alaska2. South

Africa3. Brazil4. England

EXIT TICKETEXIT TICKET

1. Why are summer days in Charlotte hotter (warmer) than winter days in Charlotte?

2. Look at the diagram shown. Which position would Earth be at when it is winter in Charlotte?