1. Features of Earth
SPACE

2. Learning Goals
To be able to describe the various features of Earth

3. Earth’s Tilt Earth is tilted 23.5° from the vertical
Due to this tilt, the amount of sunlight an area receives changes throughout the year
This tilt produces the seasons, as each hemisphere points towards the Sun during its summer, and away from the Sun during its winter

4. Seasons
When the northern hemisphere tilts towards the Sun, the Sun’s energy is spread over a smaller area, and it warms up, causing summer
When the northern hemisphere tilts away from the Sun, the Sun’s energy is spread over a larger area, and it cools down, causing winter
When it is summer in the northern hemisphere, it is winter in the southern hemisphere

5. Seasons
Summer
Winter

6. Land of the Midnight Sun
In areas north of the Arctic Circle, the Sun shines 24 hours a day for periods of the summer
Earth’s tilt means these areas can always see the Sun
During parts of winter, the Sun never rises
A similar event takes place in Antarctica

7. Phases of the Moon
The Moon does not emit light, it reflects the Sun’s light (non-luminous)
We can only see the Moon if we can see the side that is reflecting the Sun’s light
The Moon goes through a lunar cycle during which we see different phases of the Moon
The lunar cycle begins with the new Moon, when the sunlit side faces away from Earth
As the visible side increases, it is said to be waxing

8. Phases of the Moon
It will continue to wax until we see all of the sunlit side, called a full Moon
As the visible side decreases, it is said to be waning until it returns to a new Moon

10. Eclipses
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun
Total solar eclipses are rare

11. Eclipses
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow
Lunar eclipses are more common

12. Want To See An Eclipse?
The next total lunar eclipse visible from this region will be March 23, 2016,
The next partial solar eclipse visible from this region will be on August 21, 2017
The next total solar eclipse visible from this region will be on April 8, 2024

13. The Auroras
Electrically charged particles are constantly being released by the Sun at speeds of up to 400 km/s
These particles are known as the solar wind
Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field that protects us from these particles

14. The Auroras
The particles will move along the magnetic field lines towards the poles and strike gases in the atmosphere, creating a light display called an aurora
At the north pole, they are called the aurora borealis, or northern lights
At the south pole, they are called the aurora australis, or southern lights

16. Success Criteria
I CAN explain the various features of Earth