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Chapter 3

Cycles of the Sun


and Moon
The Annual Motion of the Sun

Due to Earth s revolution around the Sun, the Sun appears to


move through the zodiacal constellations.
The Sun s apparent path on the sky is called the ecliptic.
Equivalent: The ecliptic is the projection of Earth s orbit onto
the celestial sphere.
The Seasons (I)

The Earth s
equator is
inclined against
the ecliptic by
23.5.

The different
incidence angle
of the Sun s
rays causes the
seasons on
Earth.
The Seasons (II)
The Seasons (III)

Northern summer = Northern winter =


Southern winter Southern summer
The Seasons (IV)
Earth s orbit
(eccentricity greatly
exaggerated)
Earth in
July
Sun
Earth in
January

The Earth s distance from the Sun has only a very


minor influence on seasonal temperature variations.
Astronomical Influences on
Earth s Climate (I)
Factors affecting Earth s climate:

Eccentricity of Earth s orbit around the Sun


(varies over period of ~100,000 years)

Precession (period of ~26,000 years)

Inclination of Earth s axis versus orbital plane

Milankovitch Hypothesis: Changes in all


three of these aspects are responsible for
long-term global climate changes (ice ages).
Astronomical Influences on
Earth s Climate (II)

End of
Last last
glaciation glaciation

Polar regions receiving Polar regions


less than average energy receiving more than
from the Sun average energy from
the Sun
Motions of the Planets

Sense of
Mercury
All planets in revolution:
Venus counter-clockwise
almost circular
(elliptical) orbits
around the Sun,
in approx. the The Moon is
same plane orbiting Earth in
Earth almost the same
(ecliptic)
plane (ecliptic)

(distances and times reproduced to scale)


Apparent Motion of the Inner Planets

Mercury appears, at
most, ~28 from the Sun.
It can occasionally be
seen shortly after sunset
in the west or before
sunrise in the east.
Venus appears, at most,
~46 from the Sun.
It can occasionally be
seen for a few hours (at
most) after sunset in the
west or before sunrise in
the east.
The Phases of the Moon (I)

As the Moon orbits


around Earth, we
see different portions
of the Moon s
surface lit by the
Sun, causing the
phases of the Moon.
The Tidally-Locked Orbit of the Moon

The Moon is
rotating with
the same
period around
its axis as it is
orbiting Earth
(tidally locked).

We always see
the same side
of the Moon
facing Earth.
The Phases of the Moon (II)
New Moon First Quarter Full Moon
Evening Sky
The Phases of the Moon (III)
Full Moon Third Quarter New Moon
Morning Sky
The Orbit of the Moon (I)
27.32 days
The Moon orbits Earth
in a sidereal period of Moon Earth
27.32 days.
Fixed direction in space
The Orbit of the Moon (II)
Fixed direction in space 29.53 days

Earth

Moon

Earth orbits around


Sun => direction
toward Sun changes!

The Moon s synodic


period (to reach the
same position relative
to the Sun) is 29.53
days (~1 month).
Lunar Eclipses
Earth s shadow
consists of a zone of
full shadow, the
umbra, and a zone of
partial shadow, the
penumbra.
If the Moon passes
through Earth s full
shadow (umbra), we
see a lunar eclipse.
If the entire surface
of the Moon enters
the umbra, the lunar
eclipse is total.
A Total Lunar Eclipse (I)
A Total Lunar Eclipse (II)

A total lunar eclipse can last up to 1 hour


and 40 minutes.

During a total eclipse, the Moon has a


faint, red glow, reflecting sunlight
scattered in the Earth s atmosphere.
Typically,
there are
1 or 2
lunar
eclipses
per year.
Solar Eclipses (I)

The angular diameter of the Moon (~0.5o) is


almost exactly the same as that of the Sun.
This is a pure coincidence. The Moon s linear diameter is
much smaller than that of the Sun.
Solar Eclipses (II)

Due to the equal angular diameters, the Moon can


cover the Sun completely when it passes in front of
the Sun, causing a total solar eclipse.
Total Solar Eclipse

The Moon s shadow


sweeps across the Earth,
over points from where we
can see a solar eclipse.
Total Solar Eclipse

During a total solar eclipse, the solar


chromosphere, corona, and
prominences can be seen.
The Diamond Ring Effect
Earth s and Moon s orbits are
slightly elliptical:
Apogee = position
furthest away from
Earth
Perihelion = position Earth
closest to the sun

Moon
Perigee = position
closest to Earth
Sun
Aphelion
(Eccentricities greatly exaggerated!)
= position
furthest
away from
the Sun
Annular Solar Eclipses
The angular
sizes of the
Moon and the
Sun vary,
depending on
their distance
Perigee Apogee Perihelion Aphelion from Earth.

When the Earth is near


perihelion, and the Moon is
near apogee, we see an
annular solar eclipse.
An almost total, annular eclipse of May 30, 1984.
Approximately 1 total solar eclipse per year
Very Important Warning:
Never observe the Sun directly with your bare
eyes, not even during a partial solar eclipse!

Use specially
designed solar
viewing shades,
solar filters, or a
projection
technique.
Conditions for Eclipses

Eclipses occur in a cyclic pattern.


Saros cycle: 18 years, 11 days, 8 hours

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