The Earth and The Moon Flashcards
How many days does the Earth take to orbit the sun?
365 days. There is an extra day in a leap year every four years.
Which direction does the sun rise in?
It rises in the east.
Which direction does the sun set in?
It sets in the west.
What is a constellation?
A group of stars that we see in the winter.
Why do we see the sun setting and rising?
Because the earth is spinning.
What does the earth spin on?
It spins on its axis.
When is the sun at its highest point in the sky?
At noon.
Why would the shadow of a fence post be longer in winter than in summer?
In winter, the sun’s light is spread out over a bigger area.
Why is it summer in some places and winter in other places?
As the earth travels around the sun, some parts of the surface point directly at the sun at different times.
What happens when the northern hemisphere is pointed towards the sun?
Sunlight hits more directly, and warms it up.
This makes the northern hemisphere hot, so it is experiencing summer.
What happens when the northern hemisphere is pointed away from the sun?
The sun’s rays come in at an angle and have less of an impact.
This makes the northern hemisphere cold, so it is experiencing winter.
