The Earth In SpaceSeptember 26, 2014

Okay, before we start, two questions

1. Name something that is big.2. Name something that is small.

Days and Nights• Earth rotates to the east on its axis at over 1,000 mph.• Axis tilts 23.5o, so some days are longer or shorter than others.

Days and Nights• Daylight lasts longer in summer when the Northern

Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and it is shorter in winter when we are tilted away from the sun.

• In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true.

Draw this Diagram in your notes

Summer Solstice (June 21)• On June 21…

• the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer• areas north of the Arctic Circle receive 24 hours of daylight• areas south of the Antarctic Circle receive 24 hours of darkness

Winter Solstice (December 22)• On December 22…

• the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn• areas north of the Arctic Circle receive 24 hours of darkness• areas south of the Antarctic Circle receive 24 hours of daylight

Equinoxes (March 21, September 23)

• On March 21 and September 23…• the sun is directly above the Equator• all areas on Earth receive equal daylight and darkness (12 hours)

Direct vs. Indirect Rays

• Direct rays bring more heat than indirect rays.

• Indirect rays (slanted rays) bring light, but very little warmth.

Seasons

• As Earth makes its revolution around the Sun, different sides of Earth see direct rays during different parts of the year.

• The closer a place is to the equator, the more direct rays it receives. IT’S WARMER!

• Note – light doesn’t necessarily mean heat. In the winter we can still have a sunny day with a temperature below zero!

Let’s See It In Action!

Latitudes and Climate

Arctic Circle

Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of Capricorn

Antarctic Circle

HIGH

HIGH

MIDDLE

MIDDLE

LOW

Latitudes and Climate• Low Latitudes• receive direct rays all year long = warm climate• called the Tropics

• Middle Latitudes• receive direct rays part of the year = seasons change• called Temperate zone

• High Latitudes• receive indirect rays all year long = cold climate• called Polar zone

Lastly, all of the Solar System’s planets and moons play a major role in our climate, and our survival on Earth. Check this out!