1.3 Earth's Orbit and the Seasons

Question 1

Antarctic Circle

Answer 1

The latitude in the Southern Hemisphere (66.5°S) below which the sun never sets on the day of the summer solstice and the sun does not rise above the horizon on the day of the winter solstice.

Question 2

Aphelion

Answer 2

The point on the orbit of a planet, asteroid, comet, or other object around the sun where it is farthest from the sun.

Question 3

Arctic Circle

Answer 3

The latitude in the Northern Hemisphere (66.5°N) above which the sun never sets on the day of the summer solstice and the sun does not rise above the horizon on the day of the winter solstice.

Question 4

Autumnal equinox

Answer 4

The moment of time between the summer solstice and winter solstice when there is an equal amount of daylight and night time. The autumnal equinox occurs on about September 22 in the northern hemisphere.

Question 5

Ecliptic

Answer 5

The plane containing the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

Question 6

Perihelion

Answer 6

The point on the orbit of a planet, asteroid, comet, or other object around the sun where it is closest to the sun.

Question 7

Summer solstice

Answer 7

The moment of time when the sun is higher in the sky than at any other time during the year; considered to be the beginning of summer.

Question 8

Tropic of Cancer

Answer 8

The latitude in the Northern Hemisphere (23.5°N) where the sun climbs up to directly overhead at noon on the summer solstice.

Question 9

Tropic of Capricorn

Answer 9

The latitude in the Southern Hemisphere (23.5°S) where the sun climbs up to directly overhead at noon on the summer solstice.

Question 10

Vernal equinox

Answer 10

The moment of time between the winter solstice and summer solstice when there is an equal amount of daylight and nighttime. The vernal equinox occurs on about March 22 in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 11

Winter solstice

Answer 11

The moment of time when the sun is lowest in the sky at noon, which occurs on the day with the least hours of sunlight.