Last

Next

• In common usage "the tropics" are the part of the Earth where the Sun is directly overhead at least once each year (direct sun = hot, good place to go for Spring Break)
• In astronomical lingo, there are two Tropics
• The Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North of the Equator)
• The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South of the Equator)

The Arctic Circle is the line above which the sun doesn't set on the Summer Solstice.  Guess how many degrees away from the North pole it is?

The Antarctic Circle is the analogues location in the Southern Hemisphere

NOTE: the sun is never directly overhead in Wisconsin.  At the Equator on the Equinoxes, the Sun is directly overhead (at 90°). Our Latitude is 43° (we are 43° above the Equator).  Therefore at the Equinoxes, in Wisconsin, the sun is 43° down from the zenith or 90° -- 43° = 47° up from the Horizon.  It varies 23.5° from this, or between 23.5° and 70.5°.  You'll get to MEASURE this! (see observing project)

Last

Next