UNIT 0: Vocabulary Group 2 (36-53) Flashcards
Equinox
An event where a planet’s subsolar point (point where sun looks as it is directly overhead) passes through its equator
Solstice
The point where the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest point in the sky for the year
Tilt
The angle between an object’s rotational axis and its orbital axis (a change in attitude of any portion of the earth’s surface whether temporary or undulatory or permanent)
Equator
The imaginary line around the middle of a planet or other celestial body
Prime Meridian
the 0 degree line of longitude, the starting point for measuring distance both east and west around Earth
Arctic Circle
The line of latitude about 66.5 degrees north of the Equator
Antarctic Circle
The parallel of latitude on the Earth at approximately 66.5 degrees south of the equator
Tropic of Cancer
parallel of latitude that is approximately 23 1/2 degrees north of equator (the Sun can be directly overhead)
Tropic of Capricorn
The parallel of latitude that is approximately 23 1/2 degrees south of the equator (southernmost latitude reached by the overhead sun)
Seasons
a period of the year that is distinguished by special climate conditions
Revolution
The movement of the Earth around the Sun in a fixed path
Rotation
The circular motion of an object around its center
Latitude
The measurement of distance north or south of the equator
Longitude
The measurement east or west of the prime meridian
Biosphere
Made up of parts of Earth where life exists– all ecosystems
