Solstice and Equinox

Front

What is an equinox?

Back

An equinox occurs when the sun's rays shine most directly on the equator, resulting in nearly equal day and night lengths.

Front

At what angle is the Earth tilted?

Back

The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees.

Front

True or False: The day with the longest nighttime hours is the fall equinox.

Back

False. The day with the longest nighttime hours is the winter solstice.

Front

True or False: In summer, the poles experience 6 months of daytime.

Back

True. During summer, the poles can have continuous daylight for 6 months.

Front

What happens during the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere?

Back

The northern hemisphere experiences the longest day of the year.

Front

What is the significance of the winter solstice?

Back

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Front

What is the difference between a solstice and an equinox?

Back

A solstice occurs when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky, while an equinox occurs when the sun is directly above the equator.

Front

When do the equinoxes occur?

Back

The equinoxes occur around March 21 (vernal equinox) and September 23 (autumnal equinox).

Front

What is the effect of the Earth's tilt on seasons?

Back

The tilt of the Earth causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to the changing seasons.

Front

What is the position of the sun during the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere?

Back

During the summer solstice, the sun is at its highest point in the sky at noon.