Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Instructor: ______________________
Purpose: To explore why Earth experiences seasons and why we see phases of the moon.
Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the different components of this interactive animation.
At the top of your screen, you should see a diagram of Earth’s orbit around the sun. A white “X” on the rotating Earth indicates the location of someone standing at 45 degrees north latitude.
In the lower right corner of the orbit window is a diagram showing the angle of sunlight that hits Earth at that time of year at that latitude.
To the far right of the orbit window is a thermometer indicating the average temperature at that time of year at that latitude.
Finally, below the orbit window, you should see an image of the landscape at that same latitude at the time of year on the orbit window.
Looking at the landscape view, describe the path of the sun in the sky throughout the year (you can click on “Trace Sun’s Path” in the control panel to make this easier to discern).
Describe any changes in sunlight angle in summer, spring, winter, and autumn.
Describe any changes in average daily temperature in summer, spring, winter, and autumn.
Describe the path of the sun in the sky throughout the year (again, you can click on “Trace Sun’s Path” in the control panel to make this easier).
Describe the changes in sunlight angle in summer, spring, winter, and autumn.
Describe the changes in average daily temperature in summer, spring, winter, and autumn.
Do these simulated observations correspond with your real-life experience of average temperatures in these seasons? Why or why not?
Sunlight hours:
Night hours:
Sunlight hours:
Night hours:
Autumnal equinox sunlight hours:
Autumnal equinox night hours:
Spring equinox sunlight hours:
Spring equinox night hours:
Analysis: Many people believe that seasons on Earth are caused by Earth being closest to the sun in summer and farthest from the sun in winter. In at least 2 paragraphs and citing resources to support your arguments, explain why this is not the case and what actually causes us to experience seasons on Earth.
Open up the Lunar Phases interactive.
Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the different components of this interactive animation.
How much of the total moon is in shadow (shaded blue)?
How much of the lit part of the moon is visible to the observer?
Approximately when does the full moon rise and set in the sky?
How much of the total moon is in shadow (shaded blue)?
How much of the lit part of the moon is visible to the observer?
Approximately when does the new moon rise and set in the sky?
How much of the total moon is in shadow (shaded blue)?
How much of the lit part of the moon is visible to the observer?
Approximately when does the first quarter moon rise and set in the sky?
How much of the total moon is in shadow (shaded blue)?
How much of the lit part of the moon is visible to the observer?
Approximately when does the third quarter moon rise and set in the sky?
Analysis: Many people believe that the phases of the moon are caused by the Earth blocking some of the light from the moon. In at least 2 paragraphs and citing resources to support your ideas, explain why this is not the case and what actually causes us to see the phases of the moon.
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