Topic 3: Seasons

Summer Solstice• June 21st

• Sun is highest in the sky in NY

• Longest day, shortest night (Great Neck = 15 hours of sunlight, 9 hours of darkness)

Summer Solstice• N. Pole is tilted

TOWARDS the sun

• Sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer (23½o N).

• Altitude of the Sun at noon in NYS is 71.5 degrees

Fall (Autumnal) Equinox• September 21st

• 12 hours of sunlight, 12 hours of darkness

Fall (Autumnal) Equinox• N. Pole is not

tilted towards or away from Sun.

• Sun is directly over the Equator (0o).

• Altitude of the Sun at noon in NYS is 48 degrees.

Winter Solstice• December 21st

• Sun is lowest in the sky in NY

• Shortest day, longest night (Great Neck = 9 hours of sunlight, 15 hours of darkness)

Winter Solstice• N. Pole is tilted

AWAY from Sun.

• Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn (23½o S).

• Altitude of the Sun at noon in NYS is 24.5 degrees.

Spring (Vernal) Equinox• March 21st

• 12 hours of sunlight, 12 hours of darkness

Spring (Vernal) Equinox• N. Pole is not

tilted towards or away from Sun.

• Sun is directly over the Equator (0o).

• Altitude of the Sun at noon in NYS is 48 degrees.

http://wshm.bimedia.net/WebStuff/Earth-Sun-Seasons.jpg

This is what Earth looks like right NOW…