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Lab 2: The Yearly Path of the Sun

The Sun's Apparent Motions in the Sky

The apparent path of the Sun is called the [ecliptic]. It can also be though of as a projection of the plane of the earth's orbit on the celestial sphere.

On the [Vernal Equinox] (around March 21st), the sun crosses the celestial equator. On September 23, the [Autumnal Equinox] occurs when the sun again crosses the celestial equator. On these days we have [equal] days and [equal] nights.

The northernmost point of the sun occurs on the [Summer Solstice], around June 21st and the southernmost point of the sun (the [Winter Solstice]) happens on December 22.

As the sun travels around the [ecliptic], it passes through the twelve [Zodiacal constellations].

Seasons

The seasons are caused by a [tilt] in the Earth's [axis]. Because of this tilt, the sun will vary in [maximum altitude] above the southern horizon throughout the year.

On Earth in the northern hemisphere, the sun's intensity will be greater in the [Summer] months than it is in the [Winter] months.