Solar Radiation & Earth's Seasons Simulation (1)

Name:___________________________________________ Date:____________________ Pd:_____ Valery Sepulveda 1st Period Sunrise, Sunset Worksheet Part 1. Motions of the Sun 1. Using your computer, go to the online “Motions of the Sun” simulator found at http://astro.unl.edu/naap/motion3/animations/sunmotions.html 2. Begin by setting the observer’s latitude to your latitude by adjusting the “arrow bar” across the world map on the right. My latitude is:___ _56.4 N_______ _______ 3. Familiarize yourself with the simulator by experimenting with the “time and location controls” and the “animation controls.” 4. Use the controls to manipulate the motions of the sun to answer the questions. 5. Move the hands on the clock to the sunrise and sunset of each date. Then complete the chart below: Date Sunrise Time Sunrise Location (N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW or SW) Sunset Time Sunset Location (N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW or SW) Number of daylight hours March 21st 6:05 AM E 6:11 PM W 12 hours June 21st 3:20 AM NE 8:45 PM NW 17-18 Hours September 21st 5:50 AM E 5:55 PM W 12 hours December 21st 8:42 AM SE 3:16 PM SW 6-7 hours A. What do you think is causing the difference in day lengths? The difference in day lengths is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. During different times of the year, different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight, resulting in longer or shorter days. B. What effect do you think the length of day will have on temperature? The length of the day can have an effect on temperature. Generally, longer days mean more time for the sun to heat up the Earth, so temperatures tend to be warmer. On the other hand, shorter days mean less time for the sun to warm things up, so temperatures can be cooler. ↙ Part 2. Seasons and Ecliptic 1. Now go to the online “Seasons and Ecliptic” simulator found at http://astro.unl.edu/naap/motion1/animations/seasons_ecliptic.html . 2. Set the observer’s latitude to your latitude by adjusting the stick figure on the globe on the right. 28.5 N 3. Familiarize yourself with the simulator by experimenting with the controls. 4. Use the controls to manipulate the Earth’s orbit, notice the changes to the incoming sunlight to answer the questions. 5. Change the dates to observe the Sunlight angle (Sun’s altitude) and the sunbeam spread.