Name: KEY
Earth Science
Date:
Period:
Seasons & Earth in Space
The diagram below represents the Earth at a specific position in its orbit as view from space on the
first day of a season. The shaded area represents the nighttime. Latitudes are drawn for the Equator
(0˚), Tropic of Cancer (23.5˚N), Tropic of Capricorn (23.5˚S), Arctic Circle (66.5˚N), and Antarctic
Circle (66.5˚S).
Sun’s rays
1. State one date represented by the Earth at the position shown in the diagram. Explain how you
were able to determine the date from the diagram.
March 21 or September 23. The North Pole isn’t pointed toward the Sun or away
from the Sun. The Earth is in half darkness and half daylight.
2. Based on your answer to question 1, state the name of the season that begins on this day in the
Northern Hemisphere.
If answer to #1 was March 21, it is the beginning of the spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
If answer to #1 was Sept. 23, it is the beginning of the fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
3. Based on your answer to question 1, state the name of the season that begins on this day in the
Southern Hemisphere.
If answer to #1 was March 21, it is the beginning of the fall in the Southern Hemisphere.
If answer to #1 was Sept. 23, it is the beginning of the spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
4. State the latitude that receives the most direct rays from the Sun when the Earth is at this position
in its orbit.
0˚ - Equator
5. State the duration of insolation at the following latitudes:
12 hours
a. Equator (0˚): ___________________________
12 hours
b. New York (42˚N): _______________________
12 hours
c. North Pole (90˚N): ______________________
12 hours
d. South Pole (90˚S): ______________________
© K. Coder 2015
The diagram below represents the Earth at a specific position in its orbit as view from space on the
first day of a season. The shaded area represents the nighttime. Latitudes are drawn for the Equator
(0˚), Tropic of Cancer (23.5˚N), Tropic of Capricorn (23.5˚S), Arctic Circle (66.5˚N), and Antarctic
Circle (66.5˚S).
Sun’s rays
6. State the date represented by the Earth at the position shown in the diagram. Explain how you
were able to determine the date from the diagram.
December 21. The North Pole is tilted away from the Sun. The entire Arctic Circle is
in darkness.
7. State the name of the season that begins on this day in the Northern Hemisphere.
Winter
8. State the name of the season that begins on this day in the Southern Hemisphere.
Summer
9. State the latitude that receives the most direct rays from the Sun when the Earth is at this position
in its orbit.
23.5˚S (Tropic of Capricorn)
10. State the duration of insolation at the following latitudes:
12 hours
a. Equator (0˚): ___________________________
9 hours
b. New York (42˚N): _______________________
0 hours
c. North Pole (90˚N): ______________________
24 hours
d. South Pole (90˚S): ______________________
© K. Coder 2015
The diagram below represents the Earth at a specific position in its orbit as view from space on the
first day of a season. The shaded area represents the nighttime. Latitudes are drawn for the Equator
(0˚), Tropic of Cancer (23.5˚N), Tropic of Capricorn (23.5˚S), Arctic Circle (66.5˚N), and Antarctic
Circle (66.5˚S).
Sun’s rays
11. State the date represented by the Earth at the position shown in the diagram. Explain how you
were able to determine the date from the diagram.
June 21. The North Pole is tilted toward the Sun. The entire Arctic Circle is in
complete daylight.
12. State the name of the season that begins on this day in the Northern Hemisphere.
Summer
13. State the name of the season that begins on this day in the Southern Hemisphere.
Winter
14. State the latitude that receives the most direct rays from the Sun when the Earth is at this position
in its orbit.
23.5˚N (Tropic of Cancer)
15. State the duration of insolation at the following latitudes:
12 hours
a. Equator (0˚): ___________________________
15 hours
b. New York (42˚N): _______________________
24 hours
c. North Pole (90˚N): ______________________
0 hours
d. South Pole (90˚S): ______________________
© K. Coder 2015
The diagrams below represents an exaggerated view of Earth revolving around the Sun. Letters A, B,
C, and D represent Earth’s location in its orbit on the first day of each of the four seasons. A
B
North
Pole
North
Pole
North
Pole
D
Sun
North
Pole
C
16. Identify the date represented by each position of the Earth on the diagram.
March 21
September 23
A: __________________________________
C: ____________________________________
B: __________________________________
D: ____________________________________
June 21
December 21
17. Identify the season represented by each position of the Earth on the diagram in the Northern
Hemisphere and in the Southern Hemisphere.
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Fall
Spring
A: __________________________________
_____________________________________
Winter
Summer
B: __________________________________
_____________________________________
Fall
Spring
C: __________________________________
_____________________________________
Winter
Summer
D: __________________________________
_____________________________________
18. Describe the change in the duration of insolation in the Northern Hemisphere as the Earth moves
in its orbit from position B to position D.
The duration of insolation decreases from position B (June 21) to position D
(December 21).
19. Describe the change in the intensity of insolation in the Northern Hemisphere as the Earth moves
in its orbit from position D to position B.
The intensity of insolation increases from position D (December 21) to position B
(June 21).
© K. Coder 2015