Path of the Sun
Describe what you would see at twilight in the morning.
The dark night sky slowly lightening until the sunset. Maybe bright colors.
What are the two parts of the sundial and what are their jobs?
dial - round dial with measured out hours
gnomon - cast a shadow to measure the hour
If you're facing the sunrise, what direction are you facing?
east
What time of year is the sun at its highest?
solstice - summer
The Earth spins on this imaginary line.
axis
the sun is at the meridian
What is one ancient group of people that used sundials to measure time?
Babylonian, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Irish, etc.
If you wanted afternoon sun in your kitchen, you would want your windows facing which exposure?
west
If you wanted to observe twilight, when would you go outside?
around or just after sunrise or sunset
East
Why are the stars not visible during the day?
the sun reflects off of our atmosphere
If your shadow is very long and pointing towards the east, what general time is it?
late afternoon/evening
If you have plants that need full sun, you should plant them facing which exposure/direction of your house?
south
Describe what happens in order for the sun to appear to move through our sky?
The Earth rotates eastward towards the sun, then faces the sun at noon, and then rotates away from the sun.
What is an equinox?
When the night and day are equal. Sun is shining on the equator.
What is the Latin and English meaning of A.M. and P.M.?
ante meridiem - before middle of the day
post meridiem - after middle of the day
If your shadow is shorter and pointing north, what general time is it?
noon
Name one way that knowing which side of your house has a northern exposure can help you.
not plan plants, snow won't melt, won't have direct sunlight
How is Jesus like the sun?
He is immobile/unchanging.
He is the center of everything.
He is where we get graces and everything we need.
How did Blessed Hermann contribute to either astronomy or faith?
astronomy: improved astrolobe, sundial, translated Arabic information
faith: example of holiness, humble and joyful despite challenges
How often does a location on Earth cross the terminator in a day?
two - sunrise and sunset
What direction must a sundial point (in our hemisphere) and why?
North - aligns with the axis (also accept that sun is south)
How were churches often astronomically aligned and why?
to the East - Jesus was said to come in the East
What does it mean to be astronomically aligned? What are two locations that astronomically aligned?
aligned with the cardinal directions
Egyptian pyramids, Washington DC and its monuments, some churches
Name and describe Copernicus' theory of the solar system.
Heliocentric - sun at the center.