Tutorial: Seasons and Time

Observations of the Seasons

1. We make the above observations as the tilt of the Earth gets closer and closer to pointing in the direction of the Sun for the northern hemisphere.
2. b.
3. Although one could imagine that there are slightly different tides in the spring/summer, or that the barometric pressure might change as the weather gets warmer, the observations relate only to the Sun schedule that lists the sunrise and sunset times.
4. b.
5. The Sun sets due west on the equinox. It then continues its southern drift (in this case) until the winter solstice (summer in the southern hemisphere) where it starts back north (spoken from our perspective).
6. B --> C
7. receive more direct sunlight during parts of the year and glancing sunlight during other parts of the year.

Observations of Time

1. Because the Sun's motion across the sky differs and the height of the Sun in the sky differs.
2. pm (duh)
3. pm
4. Yup!
5. Noon, just past spring equinox.
6. Summer in the southern hemisphere.

Night Time Observations

1. 3 months; 90 days
2. 90 rotations (duh!)
3. 90 solar days - 4 min/day = 360 min less = 6 hours less, or 89 3/4 days have passed with respect to the stars.
4. 6 pm (6 hours earlier)
5. (coursepak is 1 number off) Orion
6. autumn equinox; winter solstice (used zodiac map shown on page)
7. Late December (December 18 - January 18 according to "astronomical signs." (OK, I cheated and didn't use the figure on the page.)