1. Lesson 3 Notes Seasons on Earth What Causes Seasons?

2. Vocabulary Latitude – how many degrees North or South a location is from the equator Latitude – how many degrees North or South a location is from the equator The latitude for Nutley is 40 degrees North The latitude for Nutley is 40 degrees North Angle of Separation – distance between two objects, for example distance of Polaris from an observer on Earth Angle of Separation – distance between two objects, for example distance of Polaris from an observer on Earth Altitude – the height of an object above the horizon Altitude – the height of an object above the horizon Polaris – our current North Star; a bright, easily spotted star in our sky; the last star on the handle of the “Little Dipper” Polaris – our current North Star; a bright, easily spotted star in our sky; the last star on the handle of the “Little Dipper”

3. Inquiry 3.1 – Investigating Seasons on Earth Seasons are the result of different amounts of sunlight falling on a hemisphere at different times of the year Seasons are the result of different amounts of sunlight falling on a hemisphere at different times of the year When a hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it experiences summer and longer day lengths When a hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it experiences summer and longer day lengths When a hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, it experiences winter and shorter day lengths When a hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, it experiences winter and shorter day lengths

4. Inquiry 3.2 – Observing the North Star The north of Earth’s axis currently points to Polaris, our North Star The north of Earth’s axis currently points to Polaris, our North Star Since Earth rotates on its axis, the stars seen in the Northern Hemisphere appear to circle around Polaris Since Earth rotates on its axis, the stars seen in the Northern Hemisphere appear to circle around Polaris On Starry Night, Polaris appeared to stay in the same spot On Starry Night, Polaris appeared to stay in the same spot The altitude of the North Star above the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere is equal to the latitude of the observer The altitude of the North Star above the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere is equal to the latitude of the observer Since we live at a latitude of 40 degrees North, Polaris appears to be 40 degrees above the horizon Since we live at a latitude of 40 degrees North, Polaris appears to be 40 degrees above the horizon

5. Inquiry 3.3 – Investigating Seasons at Different Latitudes Shadows change according to the time of day (where Earth is positioned in its rotation) Shadows change according to the time of day (where Earth is positioned in its rotation) Shadows change according to the time of year (where Earth is positioned in its orbit) Shadows change according to the time of year (where Earth is positioned in its orbit) The length of daylight and the apparent path of the Sun for each season vary at different latitudes The length of daylight and the apparent path of the Sun for each season vary at different latitudes

6. Equinox – when the Sun crosses the equator and causes equal hours of day and night – occurs on/around March 21(spring) and September 21(fall) Solstice – when the Sun reaches its northernmost point (June 21, longest day of the year, first day of summer) or reaches its southernmost point (December 21, shortest day of the year, first day of winter)