← Back to course
Astronomy Year / Week 01 / Wednesday
3/6
Week 01 · Safe Sky Watchers

Wednesday

Why the Sun seems to move
// Sky safety, day and night
⏱ about 15 min

Wednesday: Why the Sun seems to move

In the morning, sunlight shines in one window. In the evening, it shines in another.

"The Sun moved across the sky!" Rocket says.

Raven tilts her head. "Did the Sun move, or did we?"

Nova spins in a slow circle. "Hint: watch what happens when I spin."

Earth turns, the Sun seems to move

Earth spins toward the east.

So the Sun seems to rise in the east.

It seems to set in the west.

The Moon and stars rise in the east too.

We do not feel Earth spin.

So it looks like the sky moves instead.

EAST OR WEST?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Where does the Sun seem to rise?
Where does the Sun seem to set?
Why does the Sun seem to move across the sky?
Sky factTrue or false?
The Moon rises in the east.?
Stars rise in the east.?
We can feel Earth spinning.?
The Sun sets in the west.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEOne spinning Earth explains the Sun, Moon and stars.
Try it
Spin slowly in a chair or in place.
Watch the room seem to slide past you.
That is how the sky looks from a spinning Earth!
Safety first
Spin slowly and stop if you feel dizzy.
Never look at the Sun.

Watch the light, not the Sun

You can tell where the Sun is without looking at it.

Look at where sunlight shines into a room.

In the morning, light comes from the east side.

In the evening, light comes from the west side.

MOVING SKY
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Where does the Moon seem to rise?
Which way do stars seem to move across the sky?
How can you find the Sun's side safely?
Can we feel Earth spinning?
THE SUN ACROSS THE SKY
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1Morning
2Midday
3Evening
Try it
In the morning, find a sunny spot on the floor.
Put a small sticky note by it.
Check again after lunch. Did the sunny spot move?
Safety first
Never look at the Sun.
Not with sunglasses. Not with binoculars. Not with a telescope.
The Sun can hurt your eyes very fast.

Great thinking! Tomorrow you make a sky watcher tool for the dark.

← Tuesday