Understanding Equinoxes and Solstices

What happens during an equinox?

• The Earth's axis is tilted towards the Sun.

• The Earth's axis is tilted away from the Sun.

• The Earth is closest to the Sun.

• Day and night are of equal length.

What causes the change in the length of daylight throughout the year?

• The speed of the Earth's rotation.

• The Earth's tilt and its orbit around the Sun.

• The position of the Moon.

• The Earth's distance from the Sun.

When does the summer solstice occur?

• When the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun.

• When the Earth's South Pole is tilted closest to the Sun.

• When the Earth's axis is not tilted towards or away from the Sun.

• When the Earth is closest to the Sun.

What marks the beginning of fall?

• The summer solstice.

• The vernal equinox.

• The autumnal equinox.

• The winter solstice.

Around what date does the spring equinox usually occur?

• December 21st

• June 21st

• September 20th

• March 20th