Earth in Space

8th Grade Science

The action of the Earth spinning on its axis, which causes the cycle of day and night.

Rotation

The movement of the Earth around the Sun, taking approximately 365.25 days to complete one orbit.

Revolution

An imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, receiving direct sunlight year-round.

Equato

The angle at which the Earth's axis is tilted, approximately 23.5 degrees, affecting the intensity and duration of sunlight received.

Tilt of the Earth's Axis

An event occurring twice a year when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marking the longest and shortest days.

Solstice

The time of year when day and night are approximately equal in length, occurring in spring and autumn.

Equinox

The four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter) caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun.

Seasons

The period of light when one side of the Earth faces the Sun.

Day

The period of darkness when the Earth is turned away from the Sun.

Night

Half of the Earth, divided into Northern and Southern parts, which experience opposite seasons.

Hemisphere