Seasons
What are the four seasons we commonly recognise in Australia?
Spring, summer, autumn and winter.
How many seasons are recognised in the Kaurna seasonal calendar?
4 (although there are sometimes 6 considered)
What is a seasonal indicator?
A sign or change in the environment that helps identify what season it is.
Which season is usually the hottest in Adelaide?
Summer
What is the name of the Moon phase when the Moon appears completely lit?
Full Moon
Which season comes after winter?
Spring
What is the Kaurna name for winter?
Kudlila
Give one example of something in nature that could indicate that a season is changing.
Subjective
Which season usually has the shortest days and longest nights?
Winter
What causes the different phases of the Moon?
The Moons orbit
During which season does the Southern Hemisphere experience its longest days?
Summer
What is the Kaurna name for summer?
Warltati
The appearance of flowers on a particular plant happens at roughly the same time each year. Why could this be used as a seasonal indicator?
Because the flowering is linked to environmental conditions that occur around that time of year. It can therefore provide evidence that a particular seasonal period has arrived.
Why are the seasons different in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
Earth's tilted axis
What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
Solar eclipse: Moon moves between the Sun and Earth.
Lunar eclipse: Earth moves between the Sun and Moon.
Explain why Australia has summer when the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing winter.
The Southern Hemisphere becomes tilted towards the Sun while the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away. This changes the amount and intensity of sunlight received.
Which Kaurna season is associated with cool mornings, fog/dew and increased rainfall?
Kudlila (winter).
An animal begins nesting at the same time each year. What might this tell us about the environment?
It could indicate that environmental conditions have changed and that a particular seasonal period has begun or is approaching.
If Earth had no tilt on its axis, how would our seasons be different?
There would be no seasons
What causes tides on Earth, and which object has the greatest effect?
The gravitational pull of the Moon is the main cause of Earth's tides. The Sun also affects tides, but the Moon has the stronger effect because it is much closer to Earth.
Earth is closest to the Sun during the Southern Hemisphere's summer. Does this cause summer? Explain.
No. Earth's distance from the Sun is not what causes the seasons. Seasons are caused by Earth's 23.5° axial tilt. In fact, Earth is actually closest to the Sun during the Southern Hemisphere's summer, but this is not the reason for the season.
Put these Kaurna seasons in order: Kudlila, Warltati, Parnati, Wirltuti.
Parnati → Kudlila → Wirltuti → Warltati
A scientist notices that a particular bird arrives, a plant flowers and rainfall increases at roughly the same time every year. What does this tell us about seasonal indicators?
It suggests that several environmental changes are occurring together and can be used to identify a seasonal period.
Explain: Why does the tilt of Earth's axis affect the amount of daylight we receive?
Earth's tilt means that as Earth orbits the Sun, different hemispheres receive different amounts of sunlight and daylight. More direct sunlight and longer days produce warmer conditions, while less direct sunlight and shorter days produce cooler conditions.
During a full Moon, can a lunar eclipse happen? Explain where the Sun, Earth and Moon need to be positioned.
Yes. A lunar eclipse can only occur during a full Moon. The Sun, Earth and Moon must line up approximately like this: