Seasons, Equinoxes & Solstices

Front

What is the term for the path that Earth follows as it revolves around the Sun?

Back

Orbit

Front

How would the seasons be different if Earth were not tilted on its axis?

Back

Both hemispheres would receive the same amount of sunlight all year, the length of daylight hours would not change throughout the year, and temperatures would remain mostly constant year-round.

Front

What is the difference between rotation and revolution?

Back

Rotation refers to the spinning of an object on its axis, while revolution refers to the orbiting of an object around another object.

Front

What causes the seasons?

Back

The tilt of the Earth's axis.

Front

What occurs when both hemispheres experience an equal amount of daylight and nighttime hours?

Back

Equinox.

Front

What is the tilt of the Earth's axis?

Back

The angle at which the Earth is tilted from vertical, approximately 23.5 degrees.

Front

What are solstices?

Back

The two points in the year when the Sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marking the longest and shortest days.

Front

When do the summer and winter solstices occur in the Northern Hemisphere?

Back

Summer solstice occurs around June 21, and winter solstice occurs around December 21.

Front

What is an equinox?

Back

An equinox occurs twice a year when day and night are approximately equal in length, around March 21 and September 23.

Front

How does the Earth's orbit affect the seasons?

Back

The Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt cause variations in sunlight received at different times of the year, leading to seasonal changes.