Name: Jacob Mack Class Period: 2 Date 9/11/14

SEASONS WEBQUEST
Click on the following link to answer the following questions:
http://www.astronomy.org/programs/seasons/
1. During which season is the earth closest to the sun, summer or winter? Winter
2. Scroll down to the Direct Energy vs. Indirect Energy picture of the flashlights.
2. Direct energy always produces shorter shadows while indirect energy creates longer
shadows.
3. Why is this important to how warm we feel?
Indirect is more spread out, direct is more closer and confined.
Click on the following link to answer more questions.
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/sun/sun.html

Click on Why are there seasons?
1. Explain the difference between an equinox and a solstice:
Solstice: Longer hours of daylight in the Summer. In the winter there are shorter hours of
daylight.
Equinox: Twelve hours of day and night combined.
3. How many of each do we have each year? 2 Equinox, 2 solstices.
4.
Name them:
Solstices: Equinoxes:
a. Summer Solstice a. Vernal Equinox
b. Winter Solstice b. Autumnal Equinox

Click on Rotation
1. In which direction does the Earth spin on its axis? 23.5 from vertical.
Click on Solstices
2. In which direction is the Northern Hemisphere tilted during mid-Spring and summer?
Vertical
3. How does this affect the amount of daylight we have during this time?
The sun is pointed more towards the Earth in the specific direction for a longer amount of
time.
4. During what time of year does the North Pole experience 24 hours of sunlight?
June 21
st
.
South Pole?
March 21
st
.
Click on Our Orbit
5. Draw and label the Earths position in relation to the sun during each of the 4 seasons:














Click on Temperatures

1. During what season does the Northern Hemisphere receive more concentrated energy
from the sun? (look at the flashlight example for a clue)
Summer.
2. During what season (time of year) does the Sun have to travel through more atmosphere?
Winter.
If you were having to explain the reasons for the seasons to a 5
th
grader who is convinced that
seasons come from being closer or further away from the Sun explain how you would do it
below: (Include at least 3 things you learned from these sites!)

The earth is tilted on an axis of 23.5. In the month of January, the sun is closest to the Earth. If
this is so, why isnt it blazing hot in January, and is hot in June? Well this deals with Earths
axis being tilted, and also the fact that there is direct energy, and indirect energy. The sun is able
to hit more of the Earth with its energy during the Summer. This is direct energy. In the winter
it is completely opposite, it is unable to reach as much of the earth, therefore the stated reason of
indirect energy applies.