Energy, Seasons,

Weather, ClimateNATURE SCHOOL

AUGUST 2016

DRUMLIN FARM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Energy and Seasonality

Sun is the source of all energy at the Earth’s surface.

When the sun is directly overhead the rays are spread over

a small area = higher energy

When the Sun is lower in the sky the rays are spread over a

large area = lower energy

Seasons are not related to Earth’s distance from the sun

Earth is closest to the sun on Jan. 2; farthest on July 4

Yearly Positions of the Sun

5:00

8:30

Websites

Revolving earth -http://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/mclass/jr/Day2/Day_Sol_Eq21_RevolvingEarth.gif

Sun and moon data -http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php

Sun calculator - http://suncalc.net/#/42.3023,-

71.3331,17/2016.07.05/13:16

Moon calculator -http://www.mooncalc.org/#/42.2968,-71.2924,13/2016.07.05/13:22/1

Relative Sun and Moon Patterns

Season Position of Moonrise/Moonset

New First quarter Full Last Quarter

Winter Southeast/Southwest East/West Northeast/Northwest East/West

Spring East/West Northeast/Northwest East/West Southeast/Southwest

Summer Northeast/Northwest East/West Southeast/Southwest East/West

Fall East/West Southeast/Southwest East/West Northeast/Northwest

Moon Phase Moonrise Moonset

New Sunrise Sunset

First Quarter Local Noon Local midnight

Full Sunset Sunrise

Last Quarter Local midnight Local noon

http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/our-solar-system/the-moon

Determined by energy availability

Minimum solar energy = winter

Maximum solar energy = summer

Impact on living organisms

Winter – cold, dry air, snow, short days

Summer – hot, humid, long days

Spring/fall – transition periods, preparation

Survival strategies

Winter – dormancy, migration, resistance

Spring – recovery, growth, mating

Summer – growth, reproduction,

Fall – seed dispersal, winter prep

Seasonal Cycles

Weather patterns are caused by energy from the

sun and the rotation of the Earth

Weather

Earth’s atmosphere and oceans absorb

and store solar energy as heat.

Summer is hottest after the maximum

energy date.

Winter is coldest after the minimum

energy date.

Weather and Climate

Weather – the state of the atmosphere from a

meteorological perspective

Driven by differences in air pressure (temperature and

humidity) between different areas

Climate – weather averaged over a long period

of time; generally 30 years

Comparative analogy

The climate where you live indicates what kind of

clothing you own

The weather determines what you wear each day

Earth has had a relatively stable atmosphere for millennia Balance of cyclical movement of essential elements and

materials through the system

Major cycles – water, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon

Carbon cycle Short-term – biotic, atmospheric

Long-term – rock, marine deposits

Cycles and Systems

Carbon cycle is out of balance Increased production of atmospheric

carbon with not enough removal

Other cycles impacted as well – H2O, N2

The Soil Story –

http://thesoilstory.com/

Cycles Now

A climate-literate person:

Understands the essential principles of Earth’s climate system

Knows how to assess scientifically credible information about climate

Communicates about climate and climate change in a meaningful way

Makes informed and responsible decisions with regard to actions that

may affect climate.

Climate Literacy