Arizona State University
AST 113 ASTRONOMY Lab 3
Lab 3
Question 1
1 out of 1 points
Lab 3 Figure 1
Path of the Sun
Let's start by examining the path of the Sun. Figure 1 shows the
sky as seen from t
...
Arizona State University
AST 113 ASTRONOMY Lab 3
Lab 3
Question 1
1 out of 1 points
Lab 3 Figure 1
Path of the Sun
Let's start by examining the path of the Sun. Figure 1 shows the
sky as seen from the continental United States. It shows that the
Sun's daily path across the sky (dashed/solid line) is longest on
June 21 and shortest on December 21. In addition, on June 21,
which is called the summer solstice, the Sun reaches its
maximum height in the southern sky above the horizon at about
noon. The figure shows that the Sun never actually reaches the
zenith for any observer in the continental United States. In other
words, the Sun is never directly overhead. Over the six months
following the summer solstice, the height of the Sun at noon
moves progressively lower and lower until December 21,
the winter solstice. Thus, we see that the path of the Sun through
the southern sky changes considerably over the course of a year.
Refer to Figure 1 when answering these Questions.
According to Figure 1, in which direction would you look to see
the Sun when it reaches its highest position in the sky today?
Question 2
1 out of 1 points
If it is currently winter (just after the winter solstice), how does
the height of the Sun at noon change over the next several
months?
Question 3
1 out of 1 points
In the continental United States, when is the sun directly
overhead at the zenith at noon?
Question 4
1 out of 1 points
During what time of year would the Sun rise north of east?
Question 5
1 out of 1 pointsDuring what time of year would the Sun rise south of east?
Question 6
1 out of 1 points
On what dates does the Sun rise directly in the east?
Question 7
1 out of 1 points
Which of the following statements best describes the location of
the setting Sun in the Northern Hemisphere?
Question 8
1 out of 1 points
Lab 3 Figure 2Path of the Sun: Shadow Plots
Figure 2 shows a small, vertical stick, which casts a shadow while
it rests on a large piece of paper or poster board. You can think of
this setup to be something like a sundial.
For two different days of the year, the end of the shadow has
been marked with an x every couple of hours throughout the day.
Although this sketch is somewhat exaggerated, these shadow
plots indicate how the position of the Sun changes in the sky
through the course of these two days. The following Questions are
designed to show the relationship between Figure 1 and Figure 2.
Refer to Figure 2 when answering these Questions.
How does the direction of the stick’s shadow compare to the
location of the Sun at the time each x was drawn?
Question 9
1 out of 1 points
In which direction would the shadow of the stick be cast on the
poster board if the Sun rises in the Southeast?
Question 10
1 out of 1 points
Which shadow plot was made in summer? Which was made in
winter? (Hint, look at the length of the shadows at noon.)
Question 11
1 out of 1 points
Approximately how much time did it take to create each of the
shadow plots?
Question 12
1 out of 1 points
Approximately how much time went by from the time one of the
x’s was drawn until the next x was drawn?
Question 13
1 out of 1 points
Which shadow plot would have taken longer to create?
Question 14
1 out of 1 points
Lab 3 Figure 3
Seasons: Earth-Sun Distance
This section of the lab discusses seasons and the Earth's distance
from the Sun during each season.
The following table shows the distances, in kilometers (km),
between the Sun and Earth for four months of the year.
Month Earth–Sun DistanceDecember 147.2 million km
June 152.0 million km
September 150.2 million km
March 149.0 million km
Figure 3 shows four different locations of Earth during its orbit
around the Sun. Note that for each location drawn, Earth is
correctly shown with its rotational axis tilted at an angle of 23.5°.
Use Figure 3 and the Earth–Sun distance table to answer these
Questions.
The direction in which Earth’s axis is tilted changes as Earth
orbits the Sun.
Question 15
1 out of 1 points
During which season (in the Northern Hemisphere) is Earth
closest to the Sun?
Question 16
1 out of 1 points
During which season (in the Northern Hemisphere) is Earth
farthest from the Sun?
Question 17
1 out of 1 points
The temperature stays approximately the same every month of
the year at your location.
Question 18
1 out of 1 points
During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in
the Southern Hemisphere?
Question 19
1 out of 1 points
At different times of year, locations in the Northern Hemisphere
can be a few thousand kilometers closer to or farther from the
Sun than locations at the same latitude in the Southern
Hemisphere. These differences in distance are the cause of the
seasons.
Question 20
Use Figure 4 to answer these Questions.
Which of the two lighted areas would appear brighter?
Question 21
1 out of 1 points
Which of the two lighted areas is bigger?
Question 22
1 out of 1 points
Which of the two lighted areas receives more direct light (amount
of energy on each unit of area) from the spotlight?
Question 23
1 out of 1 points
If a thermometer were placed in each of the lighted areas, which
one would read the higher temperature?
Question 24
1 out of 1 points
Which area bears a closer resemblance to the way that sunlight
shines on the Southern Hemisphere of Earth during its winter?
Spotlight B Question 25
Lab 3 Figure 5
Amount of Daylight
Consider Figure 5, which shows three different regions of Earth
(the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere, and the
equatorial region) at two different times of the year, six months
apart.
Refer to Figure 5 to answer Questions 1 and 2.
Which location corresponds with summer in the Northern
Hemisphere?
Question 26
1 out of 1 points
Which location corresponds with winter in the Southern
Hemisphere?
Question 27
1 out of 1 points
During which season is the number of daylight hours thegreatest?
Question 28
1 out of 1 points
During summer, how many hours of daylight occur per day?
Question 29
1 out of 1 points
During which season is the Sun highest in the sky at noon?
Question 30
1 out of 1 points
Which of the following provides the best explanation for
temperatures being higher in the summer?
B Question 31
1 out of 1 points
Which of the following most accurately describes the effect it
would have on seasons if somehow the number of daylight hours
did not change throughout the year but Earth was still tilted at
23.5°?
Question 32
1 out of 1 points
If the Northern Hemisphere were tilted 90° toward the sun, which
location would be warmest in the summer?
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