Question

solstice and equinox name mikey 100
use the word bank to complete the charts below about solstice and equinox!
june 21 longest day of the year lowest sun height in the sky
march 21/22 shortest day of the year middle sun height in the sky
december 21 day and night is equal length equator
september 21/21 highest sun height in the sky tropic of cancer
tropic of capricorn
solstice
summer winter
date(s)
for northern hemisphere
description of daylight
hours
sun’s most direct rays
are here on earth.
describe the height of
the sun’s path in the sky.
equinox
spring fall
date(s)
for northern hemisphere
description of daylight
hours
sun’s most direct rays
are here on earth.
describe the height of
the sun’s path in the sky.
read the statements below, identify if each describes solstice, equinox, or both!
______ happen two times in a year.
______ when the sun’s rays are shining farthest north or south of the equator.
______ sunrise and sunset are about 12 hours apart all around the world.
______ mark the beginning of a new season.

Explanation:

Solstices occur twice a year (summer and winter), with the sun's rays at their most northerly or southerly extent from the Equator. Equinoxes also occur twice a year (spring and fall), when day and night are approximately equal in length globally and mark the start of a new season.

• "Happen two times in a year": Both solstices and equinoxes occur twice a year.
• "When the sun’s rays are shining farthest north or south of the Equator": This describes solstices.
• "Sunrise and sunset are about 12 hours apart all around the world": This is characteristic of equinoxes.
• "Mark the beginning of a new season": Both solstices and equinoxes mark the start of a new season.

For the table:

• Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere):
• Date(s): June 21
• Description of daylight hours: Longest day of the year
• Sun’s most direct rays are here on Earth: Tropic of Cancer
• Describe the height of the sun’s path in the sky: Highest sun height in the sky
• Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere):
• Date(s): December 21
• Description of daylight hours: Shortest day of the year
• Sun’s most direct rays are here on Earth: Tropic of Capricorn
• Describe the height of the sun’s path in the sky: Lowest sun height in the sky
• Spring Equinox (Northern Hemisphere):
• Date(s): March 21/22
• Description of daylight hours: Day and night is equal length
• Sun’s most direct rays are here on Earth: Equator
• Describe the height of the sun’s path in the sky: Middle sun height in the sky
• Fall Equinox (Northern Hemisphere):
• Date(s): September 21/22
• Description of daylight hours: Day and night is equal length
• Sun’s most direct rays are here on Earth: Equator
• Describe the height of the sun’s path in the sky: Middle sun height in the sky

For the statements:

• Happen two times in a year: Both
• When the sun’s rays are shining farthest north or south of the Equator: Solstice
• Sunrise and sunset are about 12 hours apart all around the world: Equinox
• Mark the beginning of a new season: Both

Answer:

For the table:

	Summer	Winter
Description of daylight hours	Longest day of the year	Shortest day of the year
Sun’s most direct rays are here on Earth	Tropic of Cancer	Tropic of Capricorn
Describe the height of the sun’s path in the sky	Highest sun height in the sky	Lowest sun height in the sky

	Spring	Fall
Description of daylight hours	Day and night is equal length	Day and night is equal length
Sun’s most direct rays are here on Earth	Equator	Equator
Describe the height of the sun’s path in the sky	Middle sun height in the sky	Middle sun height in the sky

For the statements:

• Happen two times in a year: Both
• When the sun’s rays are shining farthest north or south of the Equator: Solstice
• Sunrise and sunset are about 12 hours apart all around the world: Equinox
• Mark the beginning of a new season: Both