the tilt of earths axis
23.5
This imaginary line divides the Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres.
During this season in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is actually at its closest point to the Sun.
What’s is winter
When earth spins on its axis
Rotation
It takes this many days for the Earth to complete one full revolution around the Sun.
What is 365 (or 365.25)?
This phenomenon occurs when the "Circle of Illumination" passes through both poles, resulting in approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness everywhere on Earth.
What is an Equinox?
When earth orbits the sun
Revolution
Earth's speed in its orbit is slowest during this early-July point, making Northern summers longer than winters.
What is aphelion?
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, this hemisphere is tilted away.
What is the Southern Hemisphere?
Equal day and night
Equinox
This atmospheric effect bends sunlight over the horizon, making "equal" day and night on the equinox technically impossible.
What is refraction?
This 7-letter term describes the effect of sunlight hitting the poles at a shallow angle, spreading energy over a larger area.
What is slanted (or oblique)?
the longest or shortest day of the year
Solstice
This is the exact Northern latitude (name and degree) where the Sun is directly overhead on June 21st.
What is the Tropic of Cancer
(23.5°N)?
This term describes why a flashlight held at a steep angle creates a dimmer, larger shape than a flashlight held straight down, mimicking how sunlight hits the Poles.
What is "indirect sunlight"