1. During which month does the Sun appear to rise the highest in the sky for an observer in New York State?
(1) December (3) June
(2) September (4) March
High angle of insolation = more energy = summer

2. Very cold climates occur at Earth’s North and South Poles because the polar regions
High latitude = low angle of insolation = less energy
(1) are usually farthest from the Sun
(2) absorb the greatest amount of insolation
(3) receive the most hours of daylight
(4) receive low-angle insolation

3. SEASONS
Earth REVOLVES around the sun.

5. How do day & night change during the year?

6. How do day & night change during the year?

7. EQUINOX N
Axis of rotation
INSOLATION
Equator S

8. WINTER N S eq

9. SUMMER N S eq

11. In New York State, summer is warmer than
winter because in summer New York has
(1) fewer hours of daylight and receives low angle
insolation
(2) fewer hours of daylight and receives high angle
(3) more hours of daylight and receives low-angle
(4) more hours of daylight and receives high angle
insolation

12. from above the North Pole.
The diagram shows a model of Earth’s orbit
around the Sun. Letters A, B, C, and D represent Earth’s position at the beginning of each season.
In which orbital position would Earth be illuminated as shown?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
Viewed
from above the North Pole.

13. SPRING WINTER SUMMER AUTUMN
The diagram shows the position of the Earth during a single revolution around the sun as viewed from above the north pole. Letters A – H represent positions.
SPRING
WINTER
SUMMER
AUTUMN
Label (using the letters) the beginning of each northern hemisphere season.

14. Equi = Equal nox = night
Sun at zenith over Equator
Sol = Sun stice = standing
Sun at zenith over a Tropic

15. How does the sun appear to change over these 6 months?

16. 23.5o toward Sun
June
0o tilt
March / September
23.5o away from Sun
December
Earth’s 23.5o tilt means over the course of the year the sun’s angle changes by 47o.
( = 47!)

17. (1) 15° higher in the sky (3) 42° higher in the sky
June 21
The diagram shows the altitude
of the Sun at solar noon on
March 21, as seen by an
observer at 42° N latitude.
Compared to the altitude of the Sun observed at
solar noon on March 21, the altitude of the Sun
observed at solar noon on June 21 will be
23.5o
Dec 22
23.5o
(1) 15° higher in the sky (3) 42° higher in the sky
(2) 23.5° higher in the sky ) 48° higher in the sky

23. How do seasons look s t r e t c h e d out on a map?

24. Which season is it in White Plains, NY?X
Which season is it in White Plains, NY?

26. How do WE see the path of the sun?

27. On which day are sunrise and sunset exactly East to West?
The diagram shows the apparent daily path of the Sun, as viewed by an observer at a certain latitude on three different days of the year.
On which day are sunrise and sunset exactly East to West?
(1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
(2) March 21 (4) It was the same on all days
On which day is sunrise the farthest North of East?
(1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
(2) March 21 (4) It was the same on all days

28. to indicate the location of the shadow of the “Observer in Buffalo”.
On the same
sky model diagram
place a at the
apparent position
of the North Star as
seen from Buffalo.
With your sun at 3 PM
on March 21, use a line
to indicate the location
of the shadow of the
“Observer in Buffalo”.
On the path labeled March 21
Indicate the location of the
Sun at 3PM
Draw a line to represent the apparent path of the Sun from sunrise to sunset at Buffalo on May 21.

29. C—December 21 C—December 21 (2) A—December 21 (4) A—June 21
A student in New York State looked toward the eastern horizon to observe sunrise at three different times during the year. The student drew the following diagram that shows the positions of sunrise, A, B, and C, during this one-year period.
Which list correctly pairs the location of sunrise to the day of the year?
(1) A—June (3) A—March 21
B—March B—June 21
C—December C—December 21
(2) A—December (4) A—June 21
B—March B—December 21
C—June C—March 21

30. Which diagram represents the approximate location of the Sun at 9 a. m
Which diagram represents the approximate location of the Sun at 9 a.m. on March 21?

31. At which position would sunrise occur on March 21? (1) A (3) C
The diagram represents a horizon in New York State. Four positions of sunrise: A, B, C, and D, on different days of the year are shown
At which position would sunrise occur on March 21?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
At which position would sunrise occur on June 21?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

32. According to this September 23rd diagram,
What is the Sun’s altitude at solar noon?
(1) 23.5° (3) 48°
(2) 42° (4) 90°
What is the Sun’s expected altitude at solar noon on June 22nd?
(1) 23.5° (3) 71.5°
(2) 48° (4) 88.5°
+23.5°!
What is the approximate latitude of the observer?
(1) 23.5° N (2) 42° N (3) 48° N (4) 90° N

33. In New York State, summer is warmer than
winter because in summer New York has
(1) fewer hours of daylight and receives low angle
insolation
(2) fewer hours of daylight and receives high angle
(3) more hours of daylight and receives low-angle
(4) more hours of daylight and receives high angle
insolation