How is the movement of the Sun across the sky affected by the time of year?

• A. The Sun's path remains constant regardless of season
• B. The Sun's path varies throughout the year
• C. The Sun moves slower in winter
• D. The Sun's height remains the same regardless of season

Answer: (B)

The movement of the Sun across the sky indeed varies throughout the year due to the tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun. As the Earth rotates on its tilted axis, the position of the Sun in the sky changes, resulting in different lengths of daylight and angles of sunlight at various times of the year.

During summer, the Sun takes a higher, longer arc across the sky, resulting in longer days and shorter shadows. In contrast, during winter, the Sun follows a lower and shorter path, leading to shorter days and longer shadows. This phenomenon is most noticeable at higher latitudes, where seasonal changes in the Sun's path can significantly affect the amount of sunlight received throughout the year.

This seasonal variation in the Sun's path is closely tied to the changing seasons and helps explain why we experience long days in summer and short days in winter. Understanding this concept is essential for grasping not only basic astronomical principles but also their implications on climate and ecosystems across the globe.