There are two types of calendars when dealing with the seasons. The astrological calendar and the meteorological calendar. |
The astrological calendar has :Spring starting on the Spring Equinox. Summer on the Summer Solstice. Autumn on the Autumn Equinox. Winter on the Winter Solstice. |
So what are Equinoxes and Solstices? As the Earth orbits the Sun the angle at which the sunlight hits the Earth changes and the hours between sunrise and sunset vary throughout the year. |
When the length of day and night are equal it's called an Equinox.This happens twice a year as the Sun passes over the Equator. When the length of day is longest it's called the Summer Solstice. When the length of day is shortest it's called the Winter Solstice. |
The Summer Solstice occurs when the Earth has the Northern Hemisphere tilted towards the Sun.The UK is halfway bewteen the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle. The length of the longest day in the UK is around 16 hours of daylight. |
The Winter Solstice occurs when the Earth has the Northern Hemisphere tilted away from the Sun.The UK is halfway bewteen the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle. The length of the shortest day in the UK is around 8 hours of daylight. |
Look at all of the pictures in turn. As you hover over each one a blue screen appears with an explanation of what the picture shows. Important words are underlined. If you are certain that you know about the picture click on it and it will disappear. As you go through all of the pictures you will get rid of all those which you know about and be only left with those you may be unsure of. In some cases you may get rid of all of the pictures in which case you are ready to move on to other activities which will test your knowledge on that particular topic.