Understanding the North – South movement of the sun in Stars and the Solar System – Class 8 Science Experiment
Chapter Name: Some Natural Phenomena
Activity Name: Understanding the North – South movement of the sun in Stars and the Solar System
Activity Description:
In this activity, you will observe the sunrise from a fixed spot near your home over a period of 10 to 15 days. You’ll choose a stationary object, like a tree or electric pole, as a reference point. By making daily sketches of the rising sun and the reference point, you’ll track any changes in the spot where the sun rises.
Required Items:
- Notebook
- Pen/Pencil
Step by Step Procedure:
- Choose a fixed spot near your home from where you can clearly observe the sunrise. If necessary, go to the terrace of a building or an open field to get an unobstructed view.
- Select a stationary object (e.g., a tree, electric pole) as your reference point.
- Over the next 10 to 15 days, at the same time each day, observe and note the spot at which the sun rises relative to your reference point. Also, make a daily sketch of the rising sun and the reference point in your notebook.
Experiment Observations:
- Note any changes in the spot where the sun rises.
- Observe if the spot of sunrise moves in any particular direction.
Precautions:
- Ensure you observe the sunrise at the same time each day for accurate results.
- Use proper safety measures while accessing the terrace or any elevated location.
Lesson Learnt from Experiment:
Through this activity, you will understand the North-South movement of the sun and how it appears to travel towards the south of the sky during Dakshinayanam and towards the north during Uttarayanam.
