2: Earth in Space

When are the equinoxes

March 21, September 22

Which statement describes the earths orbit

The plane of ecliptic contains the orbit

What term describes the pointing of the earths northern axis to the north star throughout the year?

Parallelism

When are the solstices?

June 21, December 21

which term is most closely related to the Earth’s rotation?

Circle of illumination

Where are the northernmost and southernmost rays on December 21?

The Antarctic circle on the near side of the pole

what impacts do aphelion and perihelion have on global temperature patterns?

The small annual variations in isolation caused by Earth’s relative proximity to the sun result in insignificant changes to global tempatures

At what latitude is the subsolar point during an equinox?

Equator

Which statement describes the circle of illumination?

The circle of illumination remains located 90 degrees away from the subsolar point

What is the significance of the tropic of cancer?

This is the most northernly latitude at which the subsolar point can be located

Where are the nothernmost and southermost tanget rays on an equinox?

The North and South poles

How do oblique rays differ from direct rays?

An oblique ray covers more surface area that a direct ray

How far does the noonday sun vary in position annually?

47 degrees

What term describes when the subsolar point reaches its maximum latitude position?

Solstice

What would be the impact if the Earth’s axis were perpendicular to the plane of ecliptic?

The subsolar point would remain that equator all year round

What is the approximate date of aphelion?

July 4

How does solar wind impact the earth?

creates auroras

What is the location of the arctic circle?

66.5 degrees north

When does daylight begin at the south pole?

September 22

Where are the nothernmost and southermost tangent rays on June 21?

The arctic circle on the far side of the pole and the antarctic circle on the near side of the pole.