What term describes times when the Sun is directly above the equator?

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Study for the Earth Science Standards of Learning Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Prepare for your exam efficiently!

Multiple Choice

What term describes times when the Sun is directly above the equator?

Explanation:
Times when the Sun is directly above the equator are called equinoxes. This happens twice a year as the Sun’s apparent path crosses the celestial equator, so the Sun’s declination is 0 degrees. On an equinox, day and night are approximately equal in length, and the dates are around March 20–21 and September 22–23. This is different from solstices, which are the Sun’s farthest positions north or south of the equator and mark the longest and shortest days. The term zenith refers to the point directly overhead at a specific location, not a time of year, and ecliptics describes the Sun’s path across the sky, not a particular event.

Times when the Sun is directly above the equator are called equinoxes. This happens twice a year as the Sun’s apparent path crosses the celestial equator, so the Sun’s declination is 0 degrees. On an equinox, day and night are approximately equal in length, and the dates are around March 20–21 and September 22–23. This is different from solstices, which are the Sun’s farthest positions north or south of the equator and mark the longest and shortest days. The term zenith refers to the point directly overhead at a specific location, not a time of year, and ecliptics describes the Sun’s path across the sky, not a particular event.

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