INSOLATION and the Seasons

• The Electromagnetic Energy (visible and invisible light) that

reaches the earth
• (Incoming-SOLar-radiATION)
Apparent Motions of the Sun in the
Northern Mid-Latitudes
• Our own star, the sun also appears to move through
our sky from EastWest at 15º/hour
• From Sunrise (E) to Sunset (W), the sun’s path also
has the shape of an arc
Our own Star’s path…
To an observer, the sun’s path makes an
arc over the course of a day
 Questions:
1.) What causes the seasons?

2.) What causes locations of different latitudes to experience

different annual average temperatures? (Why are polar
regions colder, and tropical regions warmer?)
The sun’s path changes in length and position
(angle) over the course of a year
Seasonal Motions of the Sun
 Summer Solstice (June 21)
• Direct sun over Tropic of Cancer (23.5º N)
• Longest day (in N. Hemisphere)
•N. Hemisphere tilted TOWARD sun
 Winter Solstice (December 21)
• Direct sun over Tropic of Capricorn
(23.5º S)
• Shortest day, Sun tilted AWAY from N.
Hemisphere
 Vernal Equinox (~March 21) &
Autumnal Equinox (~Sept. 21)
• Direct sun over Equator (0º)
• Equal day and night everywhere
Summary

• Due to Earth’s revolution around the

sun, and tilt on its axis the sun’s path
across the sky changes throughout
the year
Changes in Sun’s
Altitude
(angle above horizon)

• Increases or starts getting higher in the sky after

Dec. 21 (Winter Solstice) to June 21 when highest
(Summer Solstice)
• Decreases or starts getting lower on June 21  and
is lowest on Dec. 21
 Summer Solstice
• Sun at highest altitude
• Sunrise/set NORTH of Due East-West
 Winter Solstice
• Sun at lowest altitude
• Sunrise/set SOUTH of due East-West
Vernal (Spring) & Autumnal Equinoxes
• Sun at middle altitude
• Sunrise/Sunset due East-West
Seasonal Change in Temperature is
Affected by:
1.) A locations angle of insolation:
-higher angles = more direct light/ more heating
-lower angles= less direct light/less heating

2.) The length of day, or Duration of Insolation

-Longer days= more time available to heat the
surface
-Shorter days= less time available for heating the
surface
 2.)Duration of Insolation (sunrise  sunset)
Key Concept: Any location receives the most heat when the sun is
highest in the sky and when the duration is the longest (longer days)
*Duration varies with seasons and Latitude
Insolation intensity varies with latitudes:
As your distance from the equator increases,
insolation concentration decreases