The Seasons on Earth
Most places on Earth have 4 distinct seasons: ____________, _____________, ___________, __________
I.
How Sunlight Hits Earth
a. Sunlight hits Earth surface most directly at the _________, and at a steep angle near the _______
i. That is why it is warmer near the _______________
b. Earth has seasons because its axis is ___________ (23.5˚) as it revolves around the __________
i. Summer and winter are caused by Earth’s ________ as it revolves around the sun
ii. The change in __________ is not caused by __________ in Earth’s distance from the sun
iii. Earth is farthest from the sun when it is summer in the _________________ Hemisphere
II.
The Seasons (diagram)
a. June Solstice
i. The ___________ end of Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun
ii. It is summer in the _____________ Hemisphere and winter in the _____________
Hemisphere
b. December Solstice
i. The ___________ end of Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun
ii. It is summer in the ___________ Hemisphere and winter in the ___________ Hemisphere
c. March & September Equinox
i. Neither end of Earth’s axis is ___________ toward the sun
ii. Both ________________ receive the same amount of ______________
III.
The Earth In
a. June - the northern end of Earth is tilted toward the sun
i. Northern Hemisphere has more hours of ________________ than _________________
ii. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere
iii. Opposite for Southern Hemisphere
b. December – the southern end of earth is tilted toward the sun
i. Northern Hemisphere has fewer hours of ______________
ii. Winter in the Northern Hemisphere
OVER
IV.
Solstices and Equinoxes
a. June 21 – summer solstice for Northern Hemisphere
b. December 21 – winter solstice for Northern Hemisphere
c. March 21 – spring (vernal) equinox for Northern Hemisphere; ______ hours of day & night
everywhere
d. September 22 – autumnal equinox for Northern Hemisphere; ______ hours of day & night
everywhere
i. The word “equinox” means __________ ____________