Weather and Climate

Front

Rotation Noun

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[roh-tey-shuhn]

Back

Rotation

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The spinning of a body, such as a planet, on its own internal axis, which causes day and night.

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Example: The Earth spins, or rotates, on its tilted axis, which causes the cycle of day (the side facing the Sun) and night (the side in shadow).

Front

Axis Noun

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[ak-sis]

Back

Axis

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An imaginary line passing through a body's center around which the body rotates or spins.

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Example: This diagram shows the Earth's axis, an imaginary line through the North and South poles, and its 23.4° tilt, which causes the seasons.

Front

Revolution Noun

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[rev-uh-loo-shuhn]

Back

Revolution

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The movement of one celestial body in a path, or orbit, around another body in space.

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Example: The Earth's revolution is its year-long elliptical orbit around the Sun, which, combined with its axial tilt, causes the different seasons.

Front

Orbit Noun

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[awr-bit]

Back

Orbit

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The curved path that a celestial body follows as it travels around another body in space.

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Example: This diagram shows the Earth's elliptical orbit, its curved path around the Sun, which is the fundamental cause of seasons and long-term climate patterns.

Front

Solstice Noun

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[sohl-stis]

Back

Solstice

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The two days of the year when the sun is directly overhead at its northernmost or southernmost point.

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Example: During a solstice, the Earth's 23.45° tilt causes one hemisphere to receive the most direct sunlight, resulting in summer, while the other hemisphere experiences winter.

Front

Equinox Noun

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[ee-kwuh-noks]

Back

Equinox

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The two days of the year when neither hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, causing equal day and night.

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Example: During an equinox, the Sun shines directly on the Earth's equator, resulting in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness across the entire planet.

Front

Latitude Noun

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[lat-i-tood]

Back

Latitude

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The measurement of distance in degrees north or south of the equator on Earth's surface.

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Example: This diagram shows Earth with horizontal lines called lines of latitude, which measure distance in degrees north or south of the 0° line, the Equator.

Front

Tropic Zone Noun

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[trop-ik zohn]

Back

Tropic Zone

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The warm region on Earth located between the latitudes of 23.5 degrees south and 23.5 degrees north.

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Example: This map shows the Tropic Zone as the area on Earth located between two important lines of latitude: the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Front

Temperate Zones Noun

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[tem-per-it zohnz]

Back

Temperate Zones

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The regions on Earth between the tropic and polar zones, characterized by moderate temperatures and distinct seasons.

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Example: This world map shows the temperate zones in green, located in the middle latitudes between the warmer tropical/warm zones and the colder polar zones.

Front

Polar Zones Noun

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[poh-ler zohnz]

Back

Polar Zones

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The cold regions on Earth extending from 66.5 degrees latitude to the poles in both hemispheres.

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Example: This diagram shows that because of the Earth's curve, the Sun's rays hit the polar zones at an angle, spreading energy over a large area.