In years past (many, many, many years past) people thought the Earth came in many different shapes. For example some ancient people thought the Earth was a large ziggurat, or flat, or even a cube. Within the past few centuries, improvements in both scientific instruments and better observations of the heavens have also helped astronomers to determine (with extreme accuracy) what the nature of Earth’s orbit is. In addition to knowing the precise distance from the Sun, we also know that our planet (which is a sphere) orbits the Sun with one pole constantly tilted towards it. In the case of Earth, the axis is tilted towards the Sun at approximately 23.44° (or 23.439281° to be exact). Scientists have discovered this tilt results in there being a difference in how much sunlight reaches a given point on the surface of Earth during the course of a year. It just so happens that astronomers have used a Polar Star to help establish and measure the Earth's tilt. The star is called Polaris or the North Star. Currently, there is no South Star as useful as Polaris. Sigma Octantis is the closest naked-eye star to the south Celestial pole, but it is barely visible on a clear night, making it unusable for navigational purposes. ... This tilt in Earth’s axis is what is responsible for seasonal changes during the course of the year. When the North Pole is pointed towards the Sun, the northern hemisphere experiences summer and the southern hemisphere experiences winter. When the South Pole is pointed towards the Sun, six months later, the situation is reversed. In addition to seasonal changes, temperature is affected as well. In Summer the days are longer and warmer causing the temperatures to change making it hotter in the Northern Hemisphere and cooling the Southern Hemisphere and "vise a versa". In winter the days are shorter, the light is less direct and temperatures cool. This warming and cooling of temperatures across the globe drive most of the weather on the planet. Yes, all this is connected! Our imaginary axis is somewhat stable, but has changed over the years. Earth’s axis does undergo a slight irregular motion – a rocking, swaying, or nodding motion (like a gyroscope) – that has a period of 18.6 years. Earth’s axis is also subject to a slight wobble (like a spinning top), which is causing its orientation to change over time. In 14,000 years our North Star will be Vega. So motion and wobble is something to consider. Earth's rotation and revolution is not as simple as once thought. Could we learn more about our axis and tilt? Certainly! The more technology, ideas and space exploration we experience will open our eyes to new and exciting information about our home sweet home.
28 Comments
Errol
10/2/2017 03:38:32 pm
Wow I am really sad that the buses could not come but its okay but i don't blame any of the sixth grade teachers. But it is sad that two of our field trips are canceled. After all we did only get one field trip last year( not including bis town). But anyway Mrs Taylor I am sorry I just needed to rant to someone but this is not any of your faults and I think that this blog is fantastic! Mrs Taylor thank you for all that you do for us and this would have been fantastic but its fine now that I was upset. I bet that you spend probably all day on each of these blogs! I feel very special with all of the sixth grade teachers teaching me!
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Elayna
10/2/2017 03:43:44 pm
I didn't know about the wobbling, so this is something new. Its really cool!
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Alyssa Thunell
10/2/2017 03:48:21 pm
Hi
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Sophia silva
10/2/2017 03:50:38 pm
I love the picture there great!!
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Allysa Bullock
10/2/2017 03:51:15 pm
WHAT THE BUSES AREN'T COMING!!!
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Ally B.
10/2/2017 03:52:11 pm
Nice job on the blog Mrs. Taylor!
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Allysa B.
10/2/2017 03:53:07 pm
I agree with you to Errol!!!!!!!!
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caleb
10/2/2017 04:13:17 pm
i love wat you post
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Ryley W
10/2/2017 04:52:33 pm
i didn't know that asteroids had seasons
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Ben$$$$$$$$???????❤️???????☺️????❤️??????☺️????
10/2/2017 05:45:59 pm
My name has so many emojis. So cool.
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Ben???☹️☹️???
10/2/2017 05:47:21 pm
Most of them dude not show up
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Ben
10/2/2017 05:47:44 pm
Dident
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Ben
10/2/2017 05:48:30 pm
I mean did not
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Sadie
10/2/2017 06:23:48 pm
Hello everyone. Mrs.Taylor you do so amazing on the blogs every day. I am so glad that you are our science teacher.
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Meirah
10/2/2017 09:43:48 pm
You speak the truth my friend.
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quinn
10/2/2017 08:20:58 pm
What asteroids have seasons?! ;)
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Lill
10/2/2017 10:49:46 pm
Now that everyone knows about the whole "one word commenting" thing I am so glad that we are finally commenting on something worth commenting for! Remember my big protest about how I HATED wwhen people talked about stupid llamas when Mrs.Taylor is.....well...you know. I feel like within a day or two (not including the weekend) we have already improved. And hopefully Mrs.Taylor is now aware of how we actually feel about the actual POSTS instead of LLAMAS. But anyways, I love that we can each express our feelings about science and school on this wonderful blog. I think that this will really boost up our sixth grade experience and draw each of us closer to science in different ways. For me I feel like sometimes it is hard to study at home but these blogs make it so easy and fun! By the way I think that how asteroids have seasons is crazy but as I thought about it, it makes perfect sense! Only if it was straight up and down, and if there was any life on the enormous rock, it would have to all move to one strip of the asteroid because the other parts would be too cold. Thank you Mrs.Taylor for all the hard work you put into this site! I now think that you will receive allot more comments about how we so appreciate the things you do for us. I do think that it is unfortunate about STEM but maybe we can watch a clip about it or something. Once again thank you Mrs.Talylor for the wonders you do for us and I'm sure others are thankful too.
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Harmony
10/3/2017 06:10:11 am
Wow was Mrs. Taylor did not know many things about that and you do such a great good on the blog everyday and I love to read them.
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MaryGrace
10/3/2017 07:22:04 am
Hello everyone!!! Have a great day!!!
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carter l gemni
10/3/2017 07:26:43 am
ya we got the buses but the bus company overbooked so we are stuck here.At least maybe Mr.scheerer will be back soon.Also interesting facts Mrs.taylor!
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Errol
10/3/2017 07:36:58 am
Wow Lily you did a really big comment, and I was trying to do at least a big comment. You did a lot.
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grace/elephant
10/3/2017 07:58:31 am
Wow mrs. taylor those were some cool facts.
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moonicorn
10/3/2017 08:10:20 am
I am so glad I am now able to just be moonicorn. I will always try to comment with more than 1 word. The blog was amazing today, I loved all of the interesting pictures.
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the fat panda
10/3/2017 08:13:10 am
so when the sun hits us directly its summer and indirect its winter?
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gandlf
10/3/2017 08:24:57 am
picture #3 looks likes a hurricane
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roman
10/3/2017 08:29:01 am
i reale like the top piter
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tyler
10/3/2017 08:36:10 am
Why isn't the earth dizzy?
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Harmony
10/4/2017 06:08:57 am
I really enjoyed reading your blog today it was awesome. Thanks Mrs. Taylor for making it !!!!!
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |