Why do seasons happen?
Why do seasons happen?
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It's simple!
It's simple!
Our axial tilt, revolution, and egg-shaped orbit means that heat and light from the sun do not reach the Earth evenly.
Our axial tilt, revolution, and egg-shaped orbit means that heat and light from the sun do not reach the Earth evenly.
Part of the Earth is tilted towards or away from the sun always!
Part of the Earth is tilted towards or away from the sun always!
During the year, you are facing away from the Sun (fall and winter) or facing towards it (spring and summer).
During the year, you are facing away from the Sun (fall and winter) or facing towards it (spring and summer).
Note-You are Here!
Note-You are Here!
We will examine the impacts on the Northern Hemisphere, where we live.
We will examine the impacts on the Northern Hemisphere, where we live.
The Southern Hemisphere experiences these events opposite to us.
The Southern Hemisphere experiences these events opposite to us.
Let's observe some graphs that record local seasonal data in the Northern Hemisphere.
Let's observe some graphs that record local seasonal data in the Northern Hemisphere.
Day Length
Day Length
Northwest Indiana is about where the orange line is on the graph, about 50°N.
Northwest Indiana is about where the orange line is on the graph, about 50°N.
The graph shows that our day is longest at the end of June.
The graph shows that our day is longest at the end of June.
Daily Sunshine vs Daytime Averages
Daily Sunshine vs Daytime Averages
The length of a day compared to how much sunshine we are really getting.
The length of a day compared to how much sunshine we are really getting.
The graph shows the longer our day, the more sunshine we receive-meaning it will be warmer on longer days.
The graph shows the longer our day, the more sunshine we receive-meaning it will be warmer on longer days.
Total Hours of Monthly Sunlight
Total Hours of Monthly Sunlight
This graph shows the hours of sunlight each month.
This graph shows the hours of sunlight each month.
You can see in July, during our summer, we receive the most sunlight.
You can see in July, during our summer, we receive the most sunlight.
Average Monthly Temperatures
Average Monthly Temperatures
This graph shows the temperatures over the year in our area. You can see the warmest times June, July, August.
This graph shows the temperatures over the year in our area. You can see the warmest times June, July, August.
This matches our longest, days, most sunlight, and summer months-this is when we are tilted towards the sun!!!!
This matches our longest, days, most sunlight, and summer months-this is when we are tilted towards the sun!!!!
Fall
Fall
Winter
Winter
Spring
Spring
Summer
Summer
Here you can watch the amount of sunlight the planet receives over the course of a year.
Here you can watch the amount of sunlight the planet receives over the course of a year.
The redder the area, the more sunlight.
The redder the area, the more sunlight.
A Much Bigger Picture
A Much Bigger Picture
We can only see a very, very, very tiny part of the universe from our sky, but our movement means we can piece together a slightly wider view.
We can only see a very, very, very tiny part of the universe from our sky, but our movement means we can piece together a slightly wider view.
Seasonal Constellations
Seasonal Constellations
A constellation is a group of stars that represent a picture of an animal, object, or person.
A constellation is a group of stars that represent a picture of an animal, object, or person.
There are 88 constellations in the Western world, but each culture makes their list traditional list.
People on the southern hemisphere have a different view of the stars!
People on the southern hemisphere have a different view of the stars!
Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) can never be seen by inhabitants of parts of the southern hemisphere.
Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) can never be seen by inhabitants of parts of the southern hemisphere.
Here are some constellations you can only see in a certain season because of Earth's tilt in our orbit.
Here are some constellations you can only see in a certain season because of Earth's tilt in our orbit.
Spring
Spring
Cancer, the Crab
Cancer, the Crab
Summer
Summer
Hercules, the Hero
Hercules, the Hero
Autumn
Autumn
Pisces, the Fish
Pisces, the Fish
Winter
Winter
Orion, the Hunter
Orion, the Hunter
Season Challenge!
Season Challenge!
Determine the season and month in the Northern Hemisphere shown in the image.
Determine the season and month in the Northern Hemisphere shown in the image.
The Northern Hemisphere is facing away from the direct sunlight.
The Northern Hemisphere is facing away from the direct sunlight.
The Northern Hemisphere is facing towards the direct sunlight.
The Northern Hemisphere is facing towards the direct sunlight.
Hint: The days are shorter.
Hint: The days are shorter.
Answer: Winter!
Answer: Winter!
Hint: The days are longer.
Hint: The days are longer.
Answer: Summer!
Answer: Summer!
Answer the question based on the graph.
Answer the question based on the graph.
Based on the idea that Summer is when an area receives the most sunlight. When is Summer according to this graph?
Based on the idea that Summer is when an area receives the most sunlight. When is Summer according to this graph?
Based on the idea that Winter is when the days are shortest. When is Winter according to this graph?
Based on the idea that Winter is when the days are shortest. When is Winter according to this graph?
Hint: Look for months with the most sunlight.
Hint: Look for months with the most sunlight.
Answer: April, May, June
Answer: April, May, June
Hint: Look for the months with the shortest day length.
Hint: Look for the months with the shortest day length.
Answer: November, December, January, February
Answer: November, December, January, February
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