Seasons, Solstices, and Equinoxes

Front

What is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun?

Back

Astronomical Unit (AU), which is approximately 150 million kilometers.

Front

What season does the southern hemisphere experience when the northern hemisphere is in summer?

Back

Winter.

Front

What phenomenon does Earth's rotation cause?

Back

Day and night.

Front

What occurs when Earth receives nearly equal amounts of day and night?

Back

Equinox.

Front

When does the vernal equinox occur?

Back

March 20-21.

Front

What are the two solstices called?

Back

Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice.

Front

What is the significance of the summer solstice?

Back

It is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, occurring around June 21.

Front

What is the significance of the winter solstice?

Back

It is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, occurring around December 21.

Front

What is an equinox?

Back

A point in time when day and night are of approximately equal length, occurring in March and September.

Front

What causes the seasons on Earth?

Back

The tilt of Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun.