Katie+M+and+Katie+C+Seasons+-+Equinoxes+and+Solstices

Katie McCabe and Katie Cranley Orange

**__Equinoxes__**[[image:earth_moon.gif width="187" height="195" align="right"]]

 * When there is 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night at all latitudes.
 * When the direct rays of the sun are hitting the Equator and it is an equal distance from the North Pole and the South Pole.
 * **VERNAL (SPRING) EQUINOX**: MARCH 21st. First day of Spring.
 * **AUTUMNAL EQUINOX:** SEPTEMBER 21st. First day of Autumn.



This shows that there is 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night at all latitudes.

**__Solstices__**

 * **SUMMER SOLSTICE**: JUNE 21st.
 * Occurs when the sun is directly over the //Tropic of Cancer//, located at 23.5 degrees N.
 * The first day of Summer.
 * The length of time between sunrise and sunset is the //longest// in the year.


 * **WINTER SOLSTICE**: DECEMBER 22nd.
 * Occurs when the sun is directly over the //Tropic of Capricorn// located at 23.5 degrees S.
 * The first day of Winter.
 * The length of time between sunrise and sunset is the //shortest// of the year.



= = = = = = = = = = =Basic Review Pictures:= = =

Also refer to your...

 * Chapter 25 Section IV "Seasons On Earth" (in textbook)
 * "First Day of Fall" handout
 * Equinox Quiz
 * "Events that Mark the Seasons in the Northern Hemisphere" handout
 * "Reasons for the Seasons" handout