Understanding the Sun's Analemma

The video explains the Sun's analemma, a figure-eight pattern seen when photographing the Sun at the same time each day over a year. This pattern results from Earth's axial tilt and orbital eccentricity. Earth's rotation and orbit create cycles that affect the Sun's position, leading to seasons. The analemma's shape is influenced by Earth's elliptical orbit, causing variations in solar time. Historically, the analemma helped reconcile differences between sundials and mechanical clocks. The appearance of the analemma varies by location and can differ on other planets.

What pattern does the Sun create when photographed at the same time every day for a year?

• A stationary dot

• A circular path

• A figure-eight pattern

• A straight line

What is the primary reason for the different seasons on Earth?

• The Earth's gravitational pull

• The Earth's rotation speed

• The Earth's axial tilt

• The Earth's distance from the Sun

What is the angle of Earth's axial tilt?

• 45 degrees

• 30 degrees

• 15.5 degrees

• 23.4 degrees

What is the longest day of the year called?

• Perihelion

• Equinox

• Winter solstice

• Summer solstice

What is the term for the Earth's closest point to the Sun?

• Aphelion

• Equinox

• Perihelion

• Solstice

What causes the Earth to move fastest in its orbit?

• The gravitational force at aphelion

• The gravitational force at perihelion

• The Earth's axial tilt

• The Earth's rotation

How many times a year do clock time and Sun time match?

• Once

• Twice

• Three times

• Four times

What tool was historically used to determine the difference between clock time and solar time?

• A compass

• A globe with the analemma

• A sextant

• A telescope

How does the analemma appear in the southern hemisphere compared to the northern hemisphere?

• It is inverted

• It is smaller

• It is the same

• It is larger

What factors can change the shape of the analemma on other planets?

• The planet's atmosphere

• The planet's distance from the Sun

• The planet's size and mass

• The planet's orbital eccentricity and axial tilt