Space Cycles

Thinking Questions

Why does a solar eclipse

last for only a few minutes in

any one location?

Why does a solar eclipse

last for only a few minutes in

any one location?

Because the Earth rotates, it will take only a few minutes to

move out of the Moon's shadow.

Why can't you see a

new moon?

Why can't you see a

new moon?

The lighted half of the Moon is facing the Sun, not Earth.

When do the Sun's rays directly hit

the Tropic of Cancer?

When do the Sun's rays directly hit

the Tropic of Cancer?

They directly hit the Tropic of Cancer during the summer solstice in the

northern hemisphere (June 21 or 22).

Explain how a solar eclipse occurs.

Explain how a solar eclipse occurs.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align as Earth moves into the Moon's

shadow.

Explain how a lunar eclipse

occurs.

Explain how a lunar eclipse

occurs.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth

align as the Moon moves into Earth's shadow.

Identify two properties of

Earth that cause it to have changing seasons.

Identify two properties of the Earth that

cause it to have changing seasons.

Earth's tilted axis and Earth's revolution around the Sun are the

properties that lead to Earth's changing seasons.

Explain the effect of each

of the properties you named in the

previous question.

Explain the effect of each of the properties

you named in the previous question.

During winter in Texas, Earth's tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to be pointed

away from the Sun. This means the Sun's rays are spread out over a large area.

During summer, the Northern Hemisphere is pointed toward the Sun. Sunlight is less

spread out, so areas get more solar energy and heat up.

As Earth revolves around the Sun, the tilt of its axis does not change. So, when Earth

gets to the other side of the Sun, it is tilted so that the Northern Hemisphere is away

from the Sun.

Describe how the length of the days in

the Northern Hemisphere

changes with the four seasons

Describe how the length of the days in the

Northern Hemisphere changes with the four

seasons In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest days are in the summer

months. The day length decreases through the fall. In winter, days are shortest. Day

length increases during the spring.

Earth's revolution around the Sun is a major cause of the

changing day length.