Large Groups
To help understand that the sun's position in the sky is not constant, students will learn about analemmas.
An analemma is a lopsided figure-eight shape that shows the apparent motion of the sun across the sky. In this activity we begin to create an analemma. The goal is to show students that the sun’s position in the sky is not constant. As summer approaches, the sun rises higher in the sky, giving more intense heat to Earth. As winter approaches, the opposite is true. The sun is lower in the sky thus giving less intense heat to Earth. This is because Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5°. This explains the sun’s apparent north and south track across the sky. However, the sun also appears to move eastward and westward at a specific time because Earth’s orbit around the sun is an ellipse.
Safety Note
Remind students that it is never wise to look directly at the sun as it
may cause permanent damage to the eye.
1. Use Science Process and Thinking Skills
2. Manifest Scientific Attitudes and Interests
3. Understand Science Concepts and Principles
Invitation to Learn
Ask students what they can do to show that the sun’s position in the
sky isn’t changing. Discuss their ideas on how to prove this.
Instructional Procedures
This is a great opportunity to discuss reflection. It is easy to show that the angle of reflection is opposite the angle of incidence during this activity. As the sun moves one way across the sky, the reflected sunlight on your ceiling moves in the opposite direction. You create a crude analemma in this activity. Use the links listed under Additional Resources to gain additional information on analemmas.
Family Connections
Have students try this activity at home with their family and report on
how it worked.
The following questions can be discussed orally as a class or in groups. You may also have students write the answers to these questions in a science journal.