Day and Night: Comparing a Globe and a Map
This visual allows you to investigate the appearance of day and night as shown on a flat map and a globe. To investigate the globe, place your cursor on the globe, click and drag. The questions below are used to assist you in your observations.
This visual demonstrates the appearance of the earth at one instant in time. The globe is oriented so that the equator is horizontal. The red vertical line is for reference comparing a meridian (line of longitude) on the globe to the corresponding meridian on the flat map. The longitude of the viewed meridian is printed below the globe.
The earth is displayed in a moment of time. At what longitude is local noon?
At what longitude is midnight? What time do you think it is at 000 E Longitude?
Rotate the earth. About how much of the earth is in daylight? How much in darkness?
Rotate the earth until the meridian displays 000 E Longitude. From what direction is the sun's rays striking the earth?
Which hemisphere is receiving sunlight over the largest area, the Northern or Southern Hemisphere? What month do you think this image represents?
Is the South Pole in daylight? Is the North Pole in daylight?
Copyright 1999 John C. Park for Science Junction
Still images of Earth ©1999 The Living Earth, Inc.