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Durham Technical Community College *
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AST 151
Subject
Geography
Date
Jun 19, 2024
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doc
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2
Uploaded by PresidentScience14557
Name: Chelsey Moore
Date: June 10
th
2024
Lab 07 – Why We Have Seasons
Question 1: The table below contains entries for the coordinates for the sun on the ecliptic as well as the latitude at which the most direct and least direct rays of the sun are hitting. Use the simulation to complete the table. Date
RA
DEC
Latitude of Most
Direct Rays
Latitude of Least
Direct Rays
February 5
21.3h
-15.8
14.6 S
73.9 N
March 21
23.9h
0
0.7 S
89.7 N
May 5
2.9 h
+16.5°
16.5° N
73.5° S
June 21
6.1h
+23.4
24.0 N
65.7 S
August 5
9.2h
+16.3
15.8 N
72.4 S
September 21
12.1h
-0.6
0.1 N
88.8 S
November 5
14.6h
-16.6
16.8 S
72.0 N
December 21
18.1h
-23.4
23.5 S
63.2 N
Question 2: Using the data in the table above, formulate general rules relating the
declination of the sun to the latitude where the most direct and least direct rays of the
sun are hitting. Answer
: Direct rays hit the northern region more than the southern region during the
summer, but in the winter, they hit the southern region more than the northern region.
Question 3: The region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is
commonly known as the tropics. Using the sunlight data table from question 1, define
the significance of this region. Answer
: The region known as the tropics is significant because it’s receives the most
direct sunlight throughout the year. The simulation showed high and stable amounts of
sunlight throughout the year in this region compared to areas outside of the tropics. The
tilt of the Earth and its orbit around the Sun results in the Sun being directly over any
given location within this region throughout the year. Question 4: Using the sunlight data table from question 1, define the significance of the
region north of the Arctic Circle commonly referred to simply as the Arctic. Answer
: Sunlight only hits this region in the summer (June-August)
Question 5: Use the simulator to complete the table below. For each latitude, write a
short paragraph which describes the variations in sunlight (seasons) that are
experienced at this latitude throughout the year. Latitude
Description of Yearly Pattern of Sunlight
0°
The noon sun’s angular height above the horizon ranges from 90° on
the vernal equinox, to 66.5° on the summer solstice, to 90° on the
autumnal equinox, and back to 66.5° on the winter solstice. Thus, the
equator always receives very direct intense sunlight throughout the
year which accounts for the very high temperatures. 23.5° N
The suns height is about 65.9 on the vernal equinox, then 89.7 on the summer
solstice, then 65.3 on the autumnal equinox and 42.9 on the winter solstice.
This means that the tropic of cancer gets more sunlight in summer
41° N
The suns height is about 79.6 on the vernal equinox, 71.8 on the summer
solstice, 47.9 on the autumnal equinox and then 25.0 on the winter solstice.
This means that sunlight hits more in the spring and summer.
66.5° N
The suns height is about 22.7 on the vernal equinox, 46.5 on the summer
solstice, then 22.5 on the autumnal equinox and -0.3 on the winter solstice.
This means that the artic gets more sun in the summer.
90° N
The suns height is about -.0 on the vernal equinox, 23.4 on the summer
solstice, -.6 on the autumnal equinox and -23.4 on the winter solstice. This
means that the north pole gets more sunlight in the summer.
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