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Space Cycles
Thinking Questions
Why does a solar eclipse
last for only a few minutes in
any one location?
Why does a solar eclipse
last for only a few minutes in
any one location?
Because the Earth rotates, it will take only a few minutes to
move out of the Moon's shadow.
Why can't you see a
new moon?
Why can't you see a
new moon?
The lighted half of the Moon is facing the Sun, not Earth.
When do the Sun's rays directly hit
the Tropic of Cancer?
When do the Sun's rays directly hit
the Tropic of Cancer?
They directly hit the Tropic of Cancer during the summer solstice in the
northern hemisphere (June 21 or 22).
Explain how a solar eclipse occurs.
Explain how a solar eclipse occurs.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align as Earth moves into the Moon's
shadow.
Explain how a lunar eclipse
occurs.
Explain how a lunar eclipse
occurs.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth
align as the Moon moves into Earth's shadow.
Identify two properties of
Earth that cause it to have changing seasons.
Identify two properties of the Earth that
cause it to have changing seasons.
Earth's tilted axis and Earth's revolution around the Sun are the
properties that lead to Earth's changing seasons.
Explain the effect of each
of the properties you named in the
previous question.
Explain the effect of each of the properties
you named in the previous question.
During winter in Texas, Earth's tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to be pointed
away from the Sun. This means the Sun's rays are spread out over a large area.
During summer, the Northern Hemisphere is pointed toward the Sun. Sunlight is less
spread out, so areas get more solar energy and heat up.
As Earth revolves around the Sun, the tilt of its axis does not change. So, when Earth
gets to the other side of the Sun, it is tilted so that the Northern Hemisphere is away
from the Sun.
Describe how the length of the days in
the Northern Hemisphere
changes with the four seasons
Describe how the length of the days in the
Northern Hemisphere changes with the four
seasons In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest days are in the summer
months. The day length decreases through the fall. In winter, days are shortest. Day
length increases during the spring.
Earth's revolution around the Sun is a major cause of the
changing day length.