The Seasons

Earth spins on an imaginary axis, an invisible line that runs through the center of Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole.

• rotation

• revolution

This causes day and night.

• rotation

• revolution

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Because of this, one Earth day is equal to 24 hours.

• rotation

• revolution

Earth orbits the Sun.

• rotation

• revolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Because of this and Earth's tilt of 23.5°, we experience seasons.

• rotation

• revolution

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Because of this, one Earth year is equal to 365 and 1/4 days. The 1/4 days results in a Leap Year every four years.

• rotation

• revolution

June 21st: The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and experiences longer days and shorter nights. The most direct sunlight hits the Tropic of Cancer, north of the equator. The North Pole has constant daylight.

• Vernal (Spring) Equinox

• Summer Solstice

• Autumnal (Fall) Equinox

• Winter Solstice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

September 22nd: The Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere experience equal sunlight. The days and nights are equal at the equator.

• Vernal (Spring) Equinox

• Summer Solstice

• Autumnal (Fall) Equinox

• Winter Solstice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

December 21st: The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun and experiences shorter days and longer nights. The most direct sunlight hits the Tropic of Capricorn, south of the equator. The South Pole has constant daylight.

• Vernal (Spring) Equinox

• Summer Solstice

• Autumnal (Fall) Equinox

• Winter Solstice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

March 20th: The Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere experience equal sunlight. The days and nights are equal at the equator.

• Vernal (Spring) Equinox

• Summer Solstice

• Autumnal (Fall) Equinox

• Winter Solstice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1