Unit 0 - 2 Flashcards
the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of approximately equal length (about September 22 and March 20)
Equinox
the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun reaches its maximum or minimum declination, marked by the longest and shortest days (about June 21 and December 22)
Solstice
angle between an object’s axis of rotation and its orbital axis, perpendicular to the orbital plane
Tilt
an imaginary line drawn around the earth equally distant from both poles, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres and constituting the parallel of latitude 0 (horizontal)
Equator
the line of 0° longitude, the starting point for measuring distance both east and west around Earth (vertical)
Prime Meridian
the parallel of latitude that is approximately 66¹/₂ degrees north of the equator and that circumscribes the northern frigid zone
Arctic Circle
the parallel of latitude that is approximately 66¹/₂ degrees south of the equator and that circumscribes the southern frigid zone
Antarctic circle
the parallel of latitude that is approximately 23¹/₂ degrees north of the equator and that is the northernmost latitude reached by the overhead sun
Tropic of Cancer
The parallel of latitude 23•26 south of the equator
Tropic of Capricorn
Each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth’s changing position with regard to the sun.
Seasons
The action by a celestial body of going round in an orbit or elliptical course
Revolution
The circular motion of an object around its center or on its axis
Rotation
Horizontal lines around the globe for coordinates
Latitude
Vertical lines from north to south for coordinates
Longitude
The regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth (or analogous parts of tiger planets) occupied by living organisms
Biosphere
