Effects of the Earth & Moon’s Orbits

Hemispheres

• The Earth is divided into 2 hemispheres.

Earth’s Axis

• The Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5º from vertical.

Summer Solstice

• On June 21, the northern hemisphere is tilted the most toward the Sun.

Winter Solstice

• On December 21, the northern hemisphere is tilted the most away from the Sun.

Equinoxes

• Equinoxes are days when the hours of daylight equal the hours of darkness.

What keeps the Earth in orbit around the Sun?

Gravitational Force

• …is the force of attraction between 2 objects.

• The Earth’s gravitational force keeps the Moon in orbit around it.

Moon’s Orbit

• It takes about 27 days for the Moon to orbit around the Earth.

• It takes about 27 days for the Moon to rotate around its axis.

Lunar Cycle

• …is the sequence of phases made by the Moon during one orbit around the Earth

What causes eclipses?

Solar Eclipse

• …is when the Moon blocks from or all of the Sun’s light form the Earth. They are very rare.

Lunar Eclipse

• …is when the Earth blocks some or all of the Sun’s light from the Moon. They are much more common.