Unit 2, Lesson 5

Mrs. Strong
Science 6B

 An AXIS is an imaginary line that goes through the

center of the Earth from the north pole to the south

pole.
As the Earth spins on its axis it does not spin

straight up and down.

Earth is tilted on its axis about 23.5 degrees.

Once every 24 hours = Day and Night

Picture courtesy of Earth as a Planet:http://sociopages.wikispaces.com/Earth+as+a+Planet

 One complete trip around the Sun.

Also called Earths ORBIT.

Completed once every 365.26 days = Year.

Leap Year every 4 years
Not circular/round!

Elliptical oval
Causes the Earth's distance from the Sun to

vary over a year.

152 billion kms

Photo courtesy of Math is Fun:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/measure/
years.html

147 billion kms

Video from Crash Course Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l64YwNl1wr0

 Earths Tilt = light comes in at

different angles at different parts of the

year.
Different light angles = Uneven
heating
This is what causes the SEASONS.
NOT caused by our elliptical orbit.

 Summer Solstice:
Northern
Hemisphere tilted
towards the sun.
First day of summer
June 21st or 22nd
Longest day of the
year
Most sunlight

Winter Solstice:
Southern
Hemisphere tilted
towards the sun.
First day of winter December 21st or
22nd
Shortest day of the
year
least amount of
sunlight

 Equal Amount of Day and Night

Closest points to the Sun
Neither hemisphere tilted closer to the Sun.
Autumnal Equinox: Vernal Equinox:
March 21 or 22
September 22 or 23

First day of Fall

First day of Spring

Chart courtesy of Enchanted Learning: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/Seasons.shtml

Video courtesy of MITK12 Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgq0LThW7QA

Diagram courtesy of Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/117445502759144066/