1. Seasons
Grade 5 science: Most of the cycles and patterns of motion between the Earth and sun are predictable.

2. Rotation: One whole spin of an object on its axis.
Takes 24 hours or 1 day
Causes day and night
Revolution: one full orbit around the sun.
Takes 365 days or 1 year
Causes seasons (with the tilt of the Earth)

3. Axis: Imaginary center line through a planet.
Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5 °
Earth’s tilt causes seasons!
Orbit:
Path around the sun
Gravity keeps planets in orbit
Slightly elliptical

4. Vernal (Spring) Equinox Autumnal (Fall) Equinox
Mar. 20 or 21
Equal day and night hours
Both hemispheres are same distance from the sun
Both hemisphere receive same amount of sunlight
Winter Solstice
Dec. 21 or 22
Shortest daylight hours
Least amount of sunlight
N. Hemisphere is pointed as far away as possible from the sun
Summer Solstice
Jun. 21
Longest daylight hours
Most amount of sunlight
N. Hemisphere is pointed towards the sun
Autumnal (Fall) Equinox
Sep. 22 or 23
Equal day and night hours
Both hemispheres are same distance from the sun
Both hemisphere receive same amount of sunlight

5. Make sure you keep the tilt the same direction during the entire orbit!!
The Sun and Earth are not to scale!! 