AIM: WHAT IS THE CELESTIAL SPHERE? DO NOW: 1.WHICH DATE BEGINS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE? 2.WHERE DO THE SUNS DIRECT RAYS STRIKE DURING THE EQUINOX? 3.HOW MUCH DARKNESS DOES THE NORTH POLE GET DURING THE WINTER? 4.HOW MANY HOURS OF DAY AND NIGHT DO WE GET DURING AN EQUINOX SEASON? 5.HOW MUCH DAYLIGHT DOES THE SOUTH POLE GET DURING THE SUMMER?

 It’s an imaginary dome which shows the earth/observer in the center.  It helps us identify the seasons, by the altitude of the noon sun.  It shows us where the Zenith is.  The Zenith is the point directly overhead.  It shows the location of sunrise and sunset.

What do we need to know about the Celestial Sphere? 1. We need to recognize the change in altitude of the noon sun. 2. We need to identify each season. 3. We need to identify the location of sunrise and sunset. 4. We need to recognize when an observer is in the northern hemisphere, the altitudes will all be in the southern sky.

Lets practice Regents questions! Check out some regents questions about the celestial sphere More Questions!

This is an observer located in the mid-latitudes (around ). The protractor represents the altitude of the noon sun. Put a star at That is the ____________________________________________________ Label compass directions South, East, and West. What is the angle of Earth’s tilt? ________________________________________________ Find that on the south side of the protractor; put a star on it. This represents the season when the sun does not stay out for a long time. Which season is it?______________________ Earth’s tilt times 2 equals: ______________________. Put a star on that number. This represents the season of equal days and equal nights. AKA _________________________ Earth’s tilt times 3 equal: ___________________. Put a star on that number. This represents the season when the sun stays out for a long time. Which season is it? ______ Earth’s rotation causes the sun to appear to rise in the _________ and set in the ___________ During winter the sun rises a little south of east and sets a little south of west. Let’s draw! During the spring and fall the sun rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west. Let’s draw! During the summer the sun rises north of east and sets north of west. Let’s draw! ** Important: The sun is only directly overhead at the __________________! No place else on Earth!