Sunrise and Sunset

We carried out an internet project with a school in the southern hemisphere and one near the equator in the northern hemisphere.

During June, we learned about the Earth and Sun and how the length of the day changes during the year. We contacted a school in Australia and in Thailandto compare the length of day for different countries.

We then worked out the length of day and made a chart.

What did we learn?

1. During June, the northern hemisphere tilts towards the sun. So, the countries in the top half of the world receive more light and heat. These countries have summer in June.
2. At the same time, the countries in the southern hemisphere are tilted away from the sun. They receive less light and heat. These countries have winter in June.
3. England and Thailand are in the northern hemisphere and have summer in June. Australia is in the southern hemisphere and has winter in June.
4. During June, England has 15 hours of daylight and Australia has 10 hours of daylight.
5. In summer, the days are long and in winter the days are short.
6. In England, the sun doesn't set until about 9 p.m. in the summer. Children in England can play outside until late during the summer.

Using the internet again, we then found out the times of sunrise and sunset for the same countries during December.

What did we learn?

1. During December, the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun. So, the countries in the top half of the world receive less light and heat. These countries have winter in December.
2. At the same time, the countries in the southern hemisphere are tilted towards the sun. They receive more light and heat. These countries have summer in December.
3. England and Thailand are in the northern hemisphere and have winter in December. Australia is in the southern hemisphere and has summer in December.
4. During December, England has 7 hours of daylight and Australia has 14 hours of daylight.
5. In summer, the days are long and in winter the days are short.
6. In England, the sun sets at 3.56 p.m. in the winter. Children in England go home in the dark during the winter.

Comparisons

1. The length of the day in June and December for Thailand is nearly the same .
2. The length of the day in June and December for England is very different.
3. The length of day doesn't change much for countries near the equator.
4. The length of day changes a lot for countries further away from the equator.

We were also able to find out information by visiting the following web site: http://www.sunrisesunset.com

If you find our pages useful please tell us! Sign our guestbook