Earth’s Motion in Space March 1, 2011 Essential Question: How does the position of the Earth in the solar system affect our conditions on Earth? (day and night/seasons)

(B. 22) Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis . (B. 24) Describe the relationship of the seasons to the Earth’s revolution around the sun . Indicators

Revolution Rotation Axis Predict Vocabulary

Actual Definition Rotation The action of turning about on an axis. Example: The Earth turning on its axis in a counterclockwise direction thus creating the day and night cycle. Actual Definition Rotation

Actual Definition of Revolution The action of a celestial body going around an orbit Example: Earth orbiting around the sun on its axis in a counterclockwise direction thus giving us the seasons Actual Definition of Revolution

Actual Definition of Axis The real or imaginary straight line through the center of an object around which it rotates Example: The imaginary line running through two poles, around which the Earth rotates Actual Definition of Axis

Direct Sunlight/Indirect Sunlight Direct Sunlight=when the sun hits the part of the Earth and gives its most intense rays Example: North America in July Indirect Sunlight: when the sun hits the part of the Earth and gives partial sun rays! Example-North America in December! Direct Sunlight/Indirect Sunlight

Pre Lab Questions Why do we have day and night on Earth? Why do we have seasons? Pre Lab Questions

We have day and night because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star in space. The Earth is a planet that is shaped like a sphere and rotates on its axis. During the Earth’s rotation, only half of its body can face the sun at one time. The half that happens to be rotated towards the sun is experiencing day where the half that is facing away from the sun is experiencing night. Day and Night Answer

Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points Position of Earth and Sun in space create the day and night cycle Earth rotates on an axis Only half of the sphere shaped Earth can face the sun at one time The half that faces the sun experiences day The half that faces away from the sun experiences night Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points

What are the reasons for the Seasons? Answer on a sheet of paper! What are the reasons for the Seasons?

We have seasons on Earth because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star. The Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis. The Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun. Therefore, the sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles during the Earth’s revolution the Sun. The axis that is facing towards the sun receives direct sunlight (absorbs more light) and experiences summer while the axis that is facing away from the sun receives indirect sunlight (scattered sun’s rays) and experiences winter. Seasons Answer

Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points The position of Earth and Sun in space dictate the seasons The sun is a star that is still and the Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun Sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles Axis that faces the sun has summer Axis that faces away from the sun has winter When the Earth’s axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun, fall and spring occur Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points

Why do we have day and night? Why do seasons occur? Post Lab Questions

We have day and night because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star that is relatively still in space. The Earth is a planet that is shaped like a sphere and rotates on its axis. During the Earth’s rotation, only half of its body can face the sun at one time. The half that happens to be rotated towards the sun is experiencing day where the half that is facing away from the sun is experiencing night. Day and Night Answer

Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points Position of Earth and Sun in space create the day and night cycle Sun is still and the Earth rotates on an axis Only half of the sphere shaped Earth can face the sun at one time The half that faces the sun experiences day The half that faces away from the sun experiences night Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points

We have seasons on Earth because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star that is relatively still in space. The Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis. The Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun. Therefore, the sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles during the Earth’s revolution the Sun. The axis that is facing towards the sun receives direct sunlight (absorbs more light) and experiences summer while the axis that is facing away from the sun receives indirect sunlight (scattered sun’s rays) and experiences winter. When the Earth’s axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun, direct sunlight hits the equator creating similar conditions in both hemispheres so Spring and Fall occur. Seasons Answer

Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points The position of Earth and Sun in space dictate the seasons The sun is a star that and the Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun Sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles Axis that faces the sun has summer-Direct Sunlight (absorbs the sun’s rays) Axis that faces away from the sun has winter (indirect sunlight (scattered sunlight) When the Earth’s axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun, direct sunlight hits the equator creating similar conditions in both hemispheres so Spring and Fall occur. Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points

The place where the Earth and the sky look like they meet. Horizon

The apparent rising of the sun above the horizon, the time when the upper most portion of the sun’s disc appears above the horizon (this is really caused by the earth’s rotation towards the sun) Sunrise

the apparent descent of the sun below the horizon, the time when the upper most portion of the sun’s disc disappears below the horizon This is really the Earth rotating away from the sun!! Sunset

The path followed by an object in its revolution around another body. Orbit

Sunlight that reaches the surface of the Earth at angles greater than 45 degrees from the horizon Sun should be in this position! Direct Sunlight

Equinox (Vernal and Autumnal) When day and night are of equal length anywhere in the world. Equinox literally means “equal night.” Equinox (Vernal and Autumnal)

Solstice (Winter and Summer) The moment when the Earth’s axis is leaning at its maximum (23.5˚) towards or away from the sun; on or about June 21 and December 21. Solstice (Winter and Summer)

Compass Rose Compass Rose: A circle showing the principal directions printed on a map or chart. Compass Rose