Seasons, Apparent Motion of the Sun, Moon, Tides, & Eclipses

Front

What are the four seasons?

Back

The four seasons are Spring, Summer, Fall (Autumn), and Winter.

Front

What causes the seasons?

Back

Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun.

Front

What is the duration of one complete revolution of the Earth around the Sun?

Back

365 days.

Front

What is an equinox?

Back

An equinox is a day when day and night are of equal duration, occurring around March 21 and September 22.

Front

What is a solstice?

Back

A solstice is a day when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marking the longest and shortest days of the year.

Front

What is the apparent motion of the Sun?

Back

The apparent motion of the Sun refers to the way the Sun appears to move across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth.

Front

What are tides?

Back

Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun.

Front

What is a lunar eclipse?

Back

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon.

Front

What is a solar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking all or part of the Sun's light.

Front

What is the difference between a total and partial eclipse?

Back

In a total eclipse, the Sun or Moon is completely obscured, while in a partial eclipse, only a part is obscured.