UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE ARCHITECTURE

Bachelor of Architecture
Subject Name: CLIMATOLOGY
Subject Code: ART-226
Lecture by: Ar. SUKHMANJIT SINGH
B. ARCH., MS CPM

CLIMATOLOGY
DISCOVER . LEARN . EMPOWER
Movement of Earth and change of seasons
CLIMATOLOGY

Course Outcome

CO Number Title Level

CO1 The students shall learn about importance of Understand

different climatic zones in designing shelters.  

CO2 The students shall understand the process of heat exchange Understand
between built environment and nature  
and various environmental factors.

CO3 The students will be able to implement their Understand

knowledge in their design concepts

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The Four Seasons

Is the changing seasons caused by the change in the distance between

the Sun and the Earth?

No. If it is, then

• The northern and southern hemisphere should have the same season, not
opposite season like we have.
• We should experience real seasonal changes in Hawaii also.
•…
The Four Seasons: The Effect of the Tilt
of Earth’s Rotation Axis
Factors Affecting Earth’s
Temperature
Distance to heat source
Web Project: tutorial on
www.astronomyplace.com ,
Chapter 2, Time and Seasons

Illumination Angle

Click on the Sun to start animation

Noon, Summer Solstice

Sunrise/Sunset,
Winter Solstice
 Solstices and Equinoxes
• Equinox: An equinox is one of two opposite points on
the celestial sphere where the celestial equator and
ecliptic intersect.
• Solstice: A solstice is either of the two times of the Ecliptic Plane
year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the Spring Equinox
equator. Winter Solstice

• Spring Equinox ~ March 21

• Summer Solstice ~ June 21
• Fall Equinox ~ September 22 Celestial Equator
• Winter Solstice ~ December 21
Fall Equinox
• The dates of the equinoxes and solstices are only
approximate dates.
• The actual length of a year is about 365 ¼ days (365 days, Fall Solstice
5 hours, 49 minutes), not exactly 365 days. We have to
add an extra day to a year every four years to keep the
seasons synchronized with the seasons (leap year). Over a
longer period of time, we need to skip a leap year to
compensate the extra minutes we add in every leap year to
keep the calendar in sync.
The Reasons for the Seasons on Earth

• The seasons on Earth are caused by the 23.5º tilt of its

rotation axis, and its revolution around the Sun.
• Although the distance of the Earth to the Sun changes
slightly as it orbits around the Sun, its effect is not big
enough to cause the four seasons.
• The seasons for other planets may be due to the
changing distance to the Sun, not the tilt of their
rotation axis…For example, the orbit of Pluto has a
very large eccentricity.
The Effects of Precession

What changes do you expect in these things (or phenomena)

13,000 years later when the Earth’s rotation axis is pointed
toward Vega?

A. World Atlas (map of Earth)? No change.

B. Star chart (map of sky)?
 Location of celestial north would be different
C. Seasons?
− We will still have four seasons, since the tilt of the rotation axis of
Earth with respect to the ecliptic plane is not changed. But the time
of the season would be changed. Summer would be in January, and
winter would be in July.
D. Constellations?
− The patterns of stars in the sky would not change much…but their
position with respect to celestial north would be different).
 The Moon
Facts about the Moon…
• We see the moon changes its
appearances and position in
the sky with approximately
30-day cycle.
• Unlike the stars, Moon can
also be seen during the day.
• We also see that the Moon is
always involved in eclipses,
and
• Its position seems to be well
correlated with the tide of the The moon revolves
ocean. around the earth with a
• Understanding the motion of period of about 29 ½
the Moon with respect to the days ~ one month!
Sun and the Earth will explain
these phenomena.
 Motions of the Sun-Moon-Earth System
1. Earth orbits the Sun every 365 ¼ days
2. Moon orbits Earth every 29 ½ days
3. The orbit of the Moon around Earth is
tilted about 18.5 degrees with repect to
the ecliptic plane
4. Moon’s orbit around Earth precesses with a
period of 18.5 years

Click on the image to start animation:

This is what the orbit of the Moon looks
like…
Click on the image to
start animation
 Why do we Always See the Same Side of
the Moon?

The rotation period of the Moon with respect to the universe is exactly the same as
the rotation period of the Moon around the Earth.
 How Often Does Eclipse Occur?
• Do we have one solar and one lunar eclipse every six month,
when the nodes line-up with the Earth-Moon line?
• NO! Because of the precession of the lunar orbit!

Nodes: the two

points when the
Moon crosses the
ecliptic plane
• Only when the
nodes are
located right
between the
Earth-Sun line
can solar
eclipses occur.
 Solar Eclipse Forecast
Solar eclipses from 2004 to 2030
Knowing the orbit
of the Earth and
the Moon, we can
now calculate the
time and path of
solar eclipses with
great accuracy.
Assessment Pattern

Q1. Explain the reason of different seasons on Earth?

Q2: Detail out the formation of equinoxes and solstices with the help of sketches.
Q3: Why do we always see the same side of the moon?

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Applications

• The student will understand the formation of seasons on Earth.

• The student will understand the formation of Equinoxes and Solstices on Earth.
• The student will understand the formation of ellipses in the Solar system..
• The outcome will reflect in their design subjects.
• The student will able to understand & make the layout in their designing. According to different
seasons.
• It will motivate the student and help them during construction of any building.

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REFERENCES
• Manual of Tropical Housing & Building: Climate Ddesign. O H Koenigsberger & T G Ingersoll
• Tropical Architecture by CP Kukreja
• Housing, Climate & Comfort by Martin Evans
• www.encyclopedia.com
• www.indianclimates.com
• www.google.com

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THANK YOU

For queries
Email: sukhmanjitaulakh.arch@cumail.in