1. Seasons

2. TRUE or FALSE Harvard Students- YouTube Misconceptions
___ Seasons are caused by the Earth’s distance from the Sun.
Reality: Seasonal variation is a result of the Earth’s alignment on its axis and the changing angle of sunlight.
___ Earth orbits the sun in an elongated elliptical path and this is what causes Earth’s distance from the sun to vary enough to cause the seasons.
Reality: Earth’s orbit, while elliptical, is nearly a perfect circle. The changing angle of sunlight striking Earth’s surface as it revolves around the sun causes the cycle of the seasons.
___ The hemisphere that is tilted toward the sun experiences summer because it is closer to the sun.
Reality: Earth is so small compared to the sun, and so far away from it, that the difference in distance between the two hemispheres and the sun is inconsequential.
Harvard Students- YouTube
Misconceptions

3. Rotation Spinning of the Earth on its axis Spins counterclockwise
Like a top
24 hours
Causes day and night

4. Revolution The movement of the Earth in its orbit around the sun.
365 ¼ days (1 year)
Orbits counterclockwise

5. Seasons Caused by the tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun.
The earth is tilted
23 ½° on it’s axis

6. Seasons INcoming SOLar radiATION
The angle of insolation is a measure of how high the Sun is in the sky. 
INcoming SOLar radiATION
This affects us daily as well as seasonally.

7. Seasons
Summer is warmer than winter because the sun is at a higher angle (more direct).
The sun can be directly overhead (90°) in the tropics during winter and summer.
The sun is directly over the equator in the beginning of spring and fall.

8. Seasons Equal day and night
March 20th or 21st: Spring Equinox
Equal day and night
Days begin to be longer and nights shorter.
Sun is directly over the equator.

9. Seasons June 21st or 22nd : Summer Solstice Longest day
Sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer

10. Seasons September 22nd or 23rd: Autumnal Equinox Equal day and night
Days begin to be shorter and nights longer.
Sun is directly over the equator.

11. Seasons December 21st or 22nd: Winter Solstice Shortest day
Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.

13. BrainPop