Winter
What color is snow?
Clear!
It looks white because the sunlight reflects off its many crystal facets.
What equinox characterizes spring?
Vernal equinox
Equinox occurs at two moments in the year when the Sun is exactly above the Equator and day and night are of equal length
What is the overall most popular summer vegetable?
Tomato
This is due to its versatility, widespread cultivation, and classic appeal in summer dishes. Other highly popular summer vegetables include corn, particularly sweet corn enjoyed fresh off the cob, and zucchini, known for being easy to grow and very productive.
What was this season historically called?
Harvest
The term "fall" (from "fall of the leaf") became popular in the 16th century.
What are seasons caused by?
Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt
Not its distance from the sun, leading to opposite seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
When and where was the first Winter Olympics?
Chamonix, France, in 1924
Initially called the "International Winter Sports Week," the event was a success and was retroactively recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the first official Winter Olympics. Athletes from 16 nations competed in 16 events across five sports, with Norway topping the medal table.
Regardless of the equinox, what day do meteorologists consider to be the start of spring?
March 1
Meteorologists and climatologists use consistent, fixed three-month periods for the seasons to make it easier to track and compare weather data and climate trends each year.
What is the hottest teperature recorded on Earth
134 degrees F
This was measured on July 10, 1913, at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, California
What is pumpkin spice made of?
Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves
What day does Summer solstice usually happen on?
June 21
How big is the largest recorded snowflake?
15 inches wide
It was recorded in Fort Keogh, Montana, in 1887
What do our brains produce more of in the spring?
Seratonin and dopamine
This is due to due to increased sunlight exposure, leading to improved mood, energy, and motivation. Longer daylight hours also regulate melatonin production, promoting wakefulness, while increased outdoor activity boosts neuroplasticity and brain function
Whales communicate more in the summer. How far can their sound travels?
Over 6,000 km in deep water
How many pounds of apples go into a gallon of apple cider?
20 pounds
This is about 30 - 40 apples
Which season has the lowest carbon dioxide levels on Earth?
Summer
This is when most plants are actively absorbing it, rather than in winter, when vegetation dies or goes dormant.
What does the word "solstice" mean in latin?
"sun stands still"
This name reflects the astronomical phenomenon where the Sun's apparent movement in the sky pauses at its highest or lowest point before changing direction. This happens twice a year, during the summer and winter solstices.
Why do we get allergies in the spring?
In spring, our immune systems can mistake harmless things like pollen for dangerous germs, triggering allergies. This mix-up causes our bodies to overreact, leading to sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses
About how many hotdogs do Americans eat during summer?
7 billion
This annual "hot dog season" averages out to about 818 hot dogs consumed every second during that three-month period
Why don't evergreens change color?
Evergreen trees such as pines, cedars, and spruces stay green because their leaves (needles) are covered with thick wax and they contain materials that prevent freezing when it gets cold.
Which culture traditionally recognizes six seasons?
Indian
They are known as Ritus: Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), Hemant (pre-winter), and Shishira (winter), each about two months long
What's the lowest recorded temperature?
-128.6 degrees F
It was recorded at the Vostok Station in Antarctica on July 21, 1983
Which culture's new year begins on the first day of spring?
Persian
The spring timing symbolizes the renewal and rebirth of nature, a central theme of the holiday that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, with roots in ancient Iranian culture and Zoroastrianism.
Which famous landmark tends to "grow" in the summer?
The Eiffel Tower
Due to the thermal expansion of iron, the Eiffel Tower can grow by more than six inches in the summer heat.
What causes the colors of fall leaves?
The brilliant fall colors in leaves are revealed when the green chlorophyll is no longer produced, allowing other pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins to show through
During which searson does estivation occur?
Summer
It is a state of lowered metabolism and inactivity, similar to hibernation, but it occurs during hot or dry seasons