Solar culmination: the angle of sunlight
| During the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun, the inclination of the earth towards the sun changes (see example image). During the northern solstice on 21 June, the Northern Hemisphere is most inclined to the sun, and receives most of the sunlight. Six months later, on 21 December, the earth reaches the Southern solstice, when the Southern Hemisphere is most inclined towards the sun, and receives most of the sunlight. This change of the position of the sun leads to different Daylengths and to the Seasons . |
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Sunlight on the earth
| While the earth surrounds the sun in one year, it changes inclination. The angle in which sunlight reaches the earth, and the part of earth which is illuminated changes during the year. The image shows four periods of the year. What differences can you recognise? |
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