Geography 2131A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Solar System
30 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
The universe contains all of the matter and energy that exists anywhere in space and time. Galaxies are organized, disc-like assemblages of stars. The sun provides light, heat, and the gravitational field that keeps the planets in orbit. Revolution - one complete trip around the sun on its orbital path. Earth"s revolution = 365 1/2 days o o. Earth spins on an axis that extends from the north pole to the south pole, rotating once every 24 hours in an eastward direction. The earth"s constant axis tilt of 23. 5 degrees determines the seasons. Varies across time and space due to earth"s tilt: duration of daily sunlight o. Solar elevation (angle of incidence) - zenith (23. 5 n summer solstice to 23. 5 s winter solstice) Further away you are from the zenith angle, the less energy that point is receiving (column c area larger than a) Earth orbits sun (1 revolution = 1 year)
