The Sun's Daily Cycle
Observing Sunlight Over 24 Hours: Questions

Respond to these questions as you click through the slide show showing changes in sunlight every hour.
#1: At Hour 1, what time of day do you think it is in your hometown? Why?
#2: How did the light change between Hour 1 and Hour 2? What does that "tell" you?
#3: What statement could you make on the basis of this photo of Hour 7?
#4: What change do you notice between Hour 7 and Hour 8? How would you explain it?
#5: What might you be doing this time of day (Hour 11)? Explain. What do you think someone in Europe might be doing this time of day? Why?
#6: From Hour 13, how many hours do you think it will take the darkness to reach California?
#7: The earth rotates on its axis once each day. Look at Hour 16 and consider: Which direction do you think it's moving: from west to east or east to west? How can you tell?
#8: Go back and forth between Hour 16 and Hour 17. Try imagining the earth rotating in each direction. (Remember: The sun stays put!) How would the sunlight and darkness change in each case?
#9: What might you be doing this time of day (Hour 24)?

#10: Now, you've gone through a whole day and are back to where you started!

  • List what you learned about the earth, sun, and the 24 hours in a day.
  • What questions do you have?