REGENTS EARTH SCIENCE Name

Earth’s Seasons Practice Worksheet

Date Period
Activity 1: Use the diagram below to answer the following questions. The diagram shows the Earth at
four different positions in its orbit around the sun. Write the letter(s) of the appropriate position next to
each of the following events.

1) June 21
2) March 21
3) September 23
4) December 21
5) Summer solstice
6) Winter solstice
7) Spring equinox
8) Autumnal equinox
9) Earth is closest to Sun
10) Earth is farthest from Sun
11) Southern Hemisphere winter
12) Southern Hemisphere summer
13) 12 hours of both light and dark

1
Activity 2: Each letter in FIGURE 1-3 represents a position of Earth in its annual revolution around
the sun. For items 1-9 on the blank line, write the letter indicating the position in FIGURE 1-3
described by the statement.

FIGURE 1-3The two enlarged Earths show that sunlight is most concentrated
where the Sun is high overhead.

1) The day when the noon sun is highest in New York:

2) The date of the most concentrated insolation in New York:

3) Our first day of winter:

4) First day of spring in New York:

5) Earth’s approximate closest approach to the sun (perihelion):

6) Fall equinox:

7) The beginning of summer in the Southern Hemisphere:

8) Earth’s greatest distance (approximate position) from the sun (aphelion):

9) The shortest day of the year in the United States: