What Is the Solstice?
In the field of studies such as geography, the term solstice refers to either of the two times of a given year wherein the Sun is farthest from the celestial Equator. Even though this definition is absolutely correct, there is a lot more to know about what is solstice than what is defined in it. Did you know that December solstice – at times known as ‘winter solstice’ in the United States, which marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere, actually marks the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere? Not many people are aware of these solstice facts, and this has resulted in widespread myths about this phenomenon. In order to understand what does solstice mean and how it occurs, you need to get a good understanding of some basic facts about the Sun and the Earth.
What is Solstice?
The driving factors when it comes to occurrence of solstice are Earth’s revolution around the Sun and its rotation along its axis, which is tilted at 23.5° – both of which contribute to Sun’s apparent position in the sky. Interestingly, these are also the driving factors when it comes to different seasons on the planet. As a result of revolution and rotation of Earth, the Sun is directly overhead at the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn twice in a year. This journey of the Sun can be traced from the equator to the tropic of Cancer at 23.5°North, back to the Equator and then down south to the tropic of Capricorn at 23.5°South over the period of a year. When it reaches its northernmost or southernmost extreme, the Sun appears to stand still for sometime before resuming its journey. This very period when the Sun is still right overhead the tropic of Cancer or tropic of Capricorn is known as solstice. In fact, the term solstice is derived from the combination of two Latin words sol meaning the Sun and sistere meaning to stand still. Similarly when the Sun is right at the Equator, it is referred to as equinox. As a result of the tilted axis of Earth, the areas near the south pole experience darkness for 24 hours on the day when the Sun is at its extreme north. Similarly, when the Sun is at its extreme south, the areas near north pole experience darkness for 24 hours a day.
Other Names for Solstice
Even though solstice is known by different names in different parts of the world, its naming on the basis of month and hemisphere has got worldwide acceptance. Basically, this astronomical phenomenon – which is attributed to the Sun reaching its maximum declination, occurs twice in a year – once in June, owing to which it is named June solstice, and then in December, owing to which it is referred to as December solstice. While these names are given on the basis of month in which the phenomenon occurs, it can be also named on the basis of hemisphere in which the Sun is positioned. When the Sun is at its northern extreme, it is referred to as northern solstice and when it is at its southern extreme it is referred to as southern solstice.
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What is Orographic Effects
Many times, you must have noticed that the mountainous regions of the world receive more rainfall as compared to the coastal areas. Similarly, you must have also come across mountains which have lush green vegetation cover on one side and barren land on other. This and other such occurrences on planet Earth are attributed to several factors – and orographic effect is just one of them. Going by the simplest definition possible, orographic effect is an atmospheric condition which is triggered as a result of forced upward movement of air upon encountering a mountain or a highland. This phenomenon eventually results in precipitation on the windward side of the mountain and rain shadow on its leeward side.
Orography: An Overview
Even though the term orography technically refers to the study of the formation and relief of mountains, in a broad sense it is also used to refer to the formation and relief of other elevated terrain. Basically, orography is a discipline of geomorphology – which in itself is a branch of geology that revolves around the study of rocks and land forms. The study of formation and relief of mountains is very important as it plays a crucial role in determining the climate of various regions of the world. That must have given you a rough idea that orographic effect has something to do with mountains and other elevated terrain. As you come across the definition of other geography terms related to this orography, you will get a better picture of the entire concept.
What is the Orographic Effect?
In geography, the term ‘orographic effect’ refers to the weather condition triggered by upward movement of air mass on coming in contact with a mountain or some other elevated terrain. It has a crucial role to play in elevated mountainous regions of the world receiving more rainfall as opposed to the plains. Simply put, orographic effect is all about how mountains and other elevated terrain alter the prevailing weather conditions in a particular region. Read the rest of this entry »
The Angiosperm Facts
What would nature be like if trees didn’t have flowers? The forests and glens would all be decked in varying shades of green – that wouldn’t be so bad, provided we hadn’t been exposed to the multi colored, multi-scented extravaganza of flowers! However, knowing flowers as they are, it is very difficult to imagine a world without them! I mean, isn’t it so much better for the harrowed lover to have such a wide choice of bouquets to choose from for appeasing the displeasure of one’s lady love or making up after a lovers’ tiff? Besides being the most useful instrument in Cupid’s armory, flowers are also used to convey a lot of other sentiments such as sympathy, condolence, for expressing joy at someone’s good fortune, for symbolizing mourning, for conveying peace and harmony, etc.
Well, well, mushy melodrama apart, flowers have a very important role to play in nature’s plan – carry out the plant reproduction cycle. As plant life forms evolved on Earth, reproduction from seeds became the major norm. These seed bearing plants were further divided into two categories – gymnosperms and angiosperms (the former being non flowering plants and the latter being flower-bearing plants). That being said, let’s take a quick look at some interesting and useful angiosperm facts.
Random Facts about Angiosperms
Let’s begin this tour of angiosperm interesting facts with when it all started. Angiosperms came into being some 240 – 200 million years ago when they diverged from gymnosperms, their evolutionary predecessors!
In fact, the reproductive organs of angiosperms are a modified, more advanced version of gymnosperms. In gymnosperms, the seeds are not encased within a floral structure (gymnosperm = gymnospermos which is Greek for “naked seeds”) while in angiosperms, the unfertilized seeds are contained within the ovaries of the flowers. Post fertilization, these ovaries become engorged and fleshy, becoming the fruits that contain the germ-containing fertilized seeds that are ready for germination on striking suitable soil environment after getting appropriately dispersed. Read the rest of this entry »