Spring Summer Fall Winter Earth's Seasons

The position of the Earth to the Sun influences: What does the position of the Earth to the Sun influence? The position of the Earth to the Sun influences: Day and Night Seasons Climate

Earth/Sun Relationship Vocabulary Rotation: movement of the Earth around its axis; 1 day; 24 hours Revolution: orbit of the Earth around the sun; 1 year; 365 days Solstice: point in revolution when the sun's rays shine directly on the Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn (June 21/Dec. 21; summer/winter) Equinox: point in revolution when the sun's rays shine directly on the Equator (March 21/Sept. 23; spring/fall)

Tilt matters! Remember! The earth is TILTED! 23.5 Remember! The earth is TILTED! This means one part is closer to the 
sun, while one part is farther away. Tropic of Cancer = N Tropic of Capricorn = S 23.5

What if?

Copy the following diagram: Arctic 
Circle #1 Tropic 
of 
Cancer #2 N 1 6 #3 Equator 2 3 Tropic of 
Capricorn #4 4 S 5 Antarctic 
Circle #5 Earth's 
Axis #6

December Solstice Dec . 21 Northern Hemisphere = Winter Southern Hemisphere = Summer Dec . 21 N S 1 2 3 4 5 6

N S 1 2 3 4 5 6 March Equinox Mar . 21 North = Spring South = Fall

June Solstice Jun. 21 Northern Hemisphere = Summer 3 4 5 6 Northern Hemisphere = Summer Southern Hemisphere = Winter

September Equinox Sept . 23 North = Fall South = Spring 1 6 2 3 4 5 N

Now you know the reason for the seasons!