Observe the motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun in three dimensions to explain Sunrise and Sunset, and to see how we define a day, a month, and a year. Compare times of Sunrise and Sunset for different dates and locations. Relate shadows to the position of the Sun in the sky, and relate shadows to compass directions.
Drag the Simulation speed slider all the way to the left.
Click Play and observe the SIMULATION pane.
Get the Gizmo ready:
Question: What astronomical events coincide with the passage of a day, month, or year?
Diagram A
Get the Gizmo ready:
Question: What causes the Sun to appear to move in a path across the sky?
Diagram B
Diagram C
Get the Gizmo ready:
Question: What factors affect sunrise and sunset times?
Day Graph
Click Reset, and repeat the activity above for the other dates listed in the table. Then calculate the hours of daylight for each of the four dates.
Diagram D