Seasons - Edubirdie

University:
Texas Lutheran University
Course:
ENVS 130 | Environmental Science
Academic year:

2020
Views:

378

Pages:

1
Author:

Carina Becker

SEASONS ● What causes the Earth’s seasons? ○ Earth has seasons because its axis is tilted, approximately 23.5 degrees. ■ Because of this tilt, as the Earth revolves around the sun, different parts of the Earth receive more or less direct sunlight. ● The Two Hemispheres ○ The Equator divides the Earth into two Hemispheres: Northern and Southern ■ These two hemispheres experience opposite seasons. ○ Northern Hemisphere ■ When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it is winter. ■ When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it is summer. ○ Southern Hemisphere ■ When the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it is winter. ■ When the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it is summer. ● Solstices and Equinoxes ○ Solstices: When the Sun is farthest North or farthest South of the Equator ■ Summer Solstice: Start of summer ● Sun is farthest North in the Northern Hemisphere, farthest South in the Southern Hemisphere ● Longest day of the year - Mid-June for Northern Hemisphere, Mid-December for Southern Hemisphere ■ Winter Solstice: Start of Winter ● Sun is farthest South in the Northern Hemisphere, farthest North in the Southern Hemisphere ● Shortest day of the year - Mid-December for Northern Hemisphere, Mid-June for Southern Hemisphere ○ Equinoxes: Equal hours of day and equal hours of night ■ Vernal Equinox: Beginning of Spring ■ Autumnal Equinox: Beginning of Autumn