Solstices & Equinoxes

Solstices & Equinoxes When Will This Day End? By: Moses McIntosh

Our Planet: • Our Planet is very special • We have a rare and unique area in our solar system • Our placement distance from the sun effects many things that allow for life on earth

Our Planet Continued: • One thing that is also unique about Earth is its axis • Earth’s axis makes it have a specific tilt • This tilt effects the Earth in many ways, and creates many interesting celestial events

Solstices: A Name • One of these celestial events—solstices • The word “solstice” is derived from the Latin “sol”=sun and “sistere”=to stand still • Thus the word “solstice” means “sun that stands still”

Solstice: Causes • One cause of planetary solstice is the Earth’s distance from the sun • Another is the tilt of the axis • During a solstice the sun travels to its apex in the sky, then back down—rather then in one motion • These apexes are both at the sun’s southernmost and northernmost extremes

Solstice: Results One of the results for solstices are the apparent “standing still” of the sun for a time Another result is, in some cultures, the solstices serve as markers for the season—in other cultures this falls in the middle of the seasons

Solstice: When • The First Is: • Mid-Late June • The Second Is: • Mid-Late December

Equinox: A Name One of these celestial events—equinoxes The word “equinox” is derived from the Latin “aequus”=equal and “nox”=night Thus the word “equinox” means “an equal night”

Equinox: Causes • The tilt of the Earth’s axis is just right, that when the sun hits the angle, it appears and is in perfect division • This is because the sun in shining on the axis point right above it

Equinox: Results The results of equinoxes is that there are equal nights on two sides of the equator

Equinox: When • Mid-Late March • Mid-Late September

Summary • The tilt of the Earth effects many things • One of the things that it effects is the apparent apex of the sun in the sky—solstices • Another thing that it effects is the apparent “standing still” of the sun during equinoxes • Both these celestial occurrences have reasons for their cause and they both have results • In concert, these ideas help to give us a deeper understanding of the complexity and uniqueness of our world

Summary Quiz • Question #1 • Question #2 • Question #3 • Question #4 • Question #5 • Question #6 • Question #7 • Question #8 References

Question #1: What are two times per year when solstices happen? Answer

Question #1: What are two times per year when solstices happen? Mid-Late June And Mid-Late December Source?

Solstice: When • The First Is: • Mid-Late June • The Second Is: • Mid-Late December Quiz Home

Question #2: What causes equinoxes? Answer

Question #2: What causes equinoxes? The tilt, and the apparent shadow of the as it seems to be in perfect division AND The sun is shining above the axis Source?

Equinox: Causes • The tilt of the Earth’s axis is just right, that when the sun hits the angle, it appears and is in perfect division • This is because the sun in shining on the axis point right above it Quiz Home

Question #3: What does the word “solstice” mean? Answer

Question #3: What does the word “solstice” mean? Sol=Sun Sistene=to stand still “sun that stands still” Source?

Solstices: A Name • One of these celestial events—solstices • The word “solstice” is derived from the Latin “sol”=sun and “sistere”=to stand still • Thus the word “solstice” means “sun that stands still” Quiz Home

Question #4: What are two times per when equinoxes happen? Answer

Question #4: What are two times per when equinoxes happen? Mid-Late March And Mid-Late September Source?

Equinox: When • Mid-Late March • Mid-Late September Quiz Home

Question #5: What are two results of solstices? Answer

Question #5: What are two results of solstices? Apparent “Standing Still” of sun Cultural Marker of Seasons/Times of Year Source?

Solstice: Results One of the results for solstices are the apparent “standing still” of the sun for a time Another result is, in some cultures, the solstices serve as markers for the season—in other cultures this falls in the middle of the seasons Quiz Home

Question #6: What does the word “equinox” mean? Answer

Question #6: What does the word “equinox” mean? “Aequus”=equal “nox”=night “an equal night” Source?

Equinox: A Name One of these celestial events—equinoxes The word “equinox” is derived from the Latin “aequus”=equal and “nox”=night Thus the word “equinox” means “an equal night” Quiz Home

Question #7: What causes solstices? Answer

Question #7: What causes solstices? Distance from sun Tilt of axis Travel of apex in non-circular Southernmost and Northernmost Extremes Source?

Solstice: Causes • One cause of planetary solstice is the Earth’s distance from the sun • Another is the tilt of the axis • During a solstice the sun travels to its apex in the sky, then back down—rather then in one motion • These apexes are both at the sun’s southernmost and northernmost extremes Quiz Home

Question #8: What is the result of equinoxes? Answer

Question #8: What is the result of equinoxes? Source? Equal nights on two sides of the equator

Equinox: Results The results of equinoxes is that there are equal nights on two sides of the equator Quiz Home

References: Equinox. Wikipedia.org. Retrieved (2010, March 1) from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equ inox Solstice. Wikipedia.org. Retrieved (2010, March 1) from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sols tice

Solstices & Equinoxes