Astronomy Quiz #1

Celestial Sphere

Projection of the Earth’s equator and poles into space

Why do we have seasons?

Earths 23.5 degree tilt causes different angles of sunlight throughout the year.

The north pole is always tilted toward __

Winter occurs when __________

the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun.

Summer occurs when _________

the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun.

Equinox

When the Sun is at the point in space where the ecliptic and celestial equator intersect, day and night are each 12 hours long everywhere on Earth

Solstice

When the Sun reaches its most northern and southern points in the sky

Autumnal Equinox

The moment when the Sun crosses Earth's equator from north to south, marking the official start of fall and bringing nearly equal hours of day and night worldwide

Vernal Equinox

The moment when the Sun crosses Earth's equator from south to north, marking the official start of spring and bringing nearly equal hours of day and night worldwide.

Summer solstice

Sun rises at the northermost point (June 21st)

Winter solstice

Sun rises at the southernmost point (December 21st)

Stonehenge

Ancient stone structure used to track the Sun

Sarsen Stones

Biggest stones used to build Stonehenge

Bluestones

Smaller stones brought from Wales

How old is Stonehenge?

5000 years ago (2500 BC)

Aubrey Holes

A ring of pits inside the bank