Seasons and Moon Phases

Which season would Australia be experiencing in this image?

• Summer

• Autumn

• Winter

• Spring

Answer explanation

The Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, therefore there is less direct sunlight.

Match the season with the description of the Earth's tilt

• Transition from tilting toward to away

• Winter

• Transition from tilting away to toward

• Spring

• Southern hemisphere tilted away from Sun

• Autumn

• Southern hemisphere tilted towards Sun

• Summer

Match the light intensity with the Season

• Direct light - high intensity

• Autumn

• Decreasing direct light

• Spring

• Increasing direct light

• Winter

• Indirect light - low intensity

• Summer

The average maximum temperature in Brisbane in Summer is 30C. In Winter it is 21C.

Explain why the temperature differs.

Answer explanation

In Summer, Brisbane is tilted towards the Sun. This means Brisbane receives more direct sunlight, and therefore more light and heat energy. This results in higher temperatures.

In Winter, Brisbane is tilted away from the Sun. This means Brisbane receives less direct sunlight, and therefore less light and heat energy. This results in lower temperatures.

Identify the location of the Moon when we experience a full moon

• The moon is between the Earth and Sun

• The moon is on the side of the Earth away from the Sun

• The moon is at the lowest point on the horizon

• The moon is at a right angle to the Earth in relation to the Sun

Identify the moon phase visible from Earth in this diagram.

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• 
• 
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Identify the phases of the moon that are waning.

The following picture shows the moon in the waxing gibbous phase. Explain why part of the moon is covered by a shadow.

Answer explanation

Sunlight reaches most of the moon

Earth blocks some of the sunlight

This creates a shadow