Earth in SpaceEarth in Space

Mr. Woodham’s 6Mr. Woodham’s 6thth Grade Earth Grade Earth Science ClassScience Class

Earth’s MovementsEarth’s Movements

Rotation vs. RevolutionRotation vs. Revolution

• Rotation is the spin of an object about its axis.Rotation is the spin of an object about its axis.

-The Earth rotates once a day (once every 24 hours).-The Earth rotates once a day (once every 24 hours).

• Revolution is when one object moves around another one.Revolution is when one object moves around another one.

-Earth moves around the sun in a predictable way.-Earth moves around the sun in a predictable way.

-The Earth revolves around the Sun every 365.26 days.-The Earth revolves around the Sun every 365.26 days.

Tilt of the Earth’s AxisTilt of the Earth’s Axis

• The axis around which the Earth rotates is tilted by 23.5 degrees in The axis around which the Earth rotates is tilted by 23.5 degrees in relation to the Sun’s equatorrelation to the Sun’s equator

Sun’s Equator

Atlanta,Georgia

This link will show you what Earth would be like if the Earth’s axis was tilted at a different angle

Solstices and EquinoxesSolstices and Equinoxes

Equinox:Equinox: An An equinoxequinox is one of two opposite is one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator and ecliptic intersect. equator and ecliptic intersect.

Solstice: Solstice: A A solsticesolstice is either of the two times of is either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator.from the equator.

Spring Equinox ~ March 21Spring Equinox ~ March 21 Summer Solstice ~ June 21Summer Solstice ~ June 21 Fall Equinox ~ September 22Fall Equinox ~ September 22 Winter Solstice ~ December 21Winter Solstice ~ December 21

Solstices and EquinoxesSolstices and EquinoxesThe position of the sun changes in the sky from season to seasonThe position of the sun changes in the sky from season to season

•Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere- on June 21Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere- on June 21stst, the sun is over the , the sun is over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere. That is as far north as you can be Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere. That is as far north as you can be and still see the sun directly overhead.and still see the sun directly overhead.•Vernal (Spring) Equinox and Autumnal (Fall) Equinox- on March 21Vernal (Spring) Equinox and Autumnal (Fall) Equinox- on March 21stst and and September 22September 22ndnd, the sun would be directly overhead if you were standing at the , the sun would be directly overhead if you were standing at the equator.equator.•Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere- on December 21Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere- on December 21stst, the sun is over , the sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere. That is as far south as you the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere. That is as far south as you can be and still see the sun directly overhead.can be and still see the sun directly overhead.

The Four Seasons: The Effect of the Tilt The Four Seasons: The Effect of the Tilt of Earth’s Rotational Axisof Earth’s Rotational Axis

Earth’s Climate ZonesEarth’s Climate Zones