Seasons And Horizons Flashcards
method for mapping stars in space by altitude and azimuth.
Horizon System
vertical elevation of an object above the horizon
Altitude
direction of an object from the observer
Azimuth
the point in the sky directly above the observer
Zenith
the point directly below the observer
Nadir
where the sky and the surface appear to meet
Celestial Horizon
an imaginary sphere with Earth in the center
Celestial Sphere
0°
Equator
23 ½ degrees N
Tropic of Cancer
23 ½ degrees S
Tropic of Capricorn
when one of earth’s poles has reached its maximum tilt TOWARD the sun, happens once in each hemisphere (seperate times), so two in total
Summer Solstice
when one of earth’s poles has reached its maximum tilt AWAY from the sun, happens once in each hemisphere (seperate times), so two in total
Winter Solstice
also known as the spring equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator in the northern direction
Vernal Equinox
also known as the autumn equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator in the northern direction
Autumnal Equinox
Reasons for the seasons:
- Earth’s axis in relation to the celestial plane
- Earth’s orbit
- Sunlight being direct or indirect
