Teaching students
Our seasons which include the Equinox and Solstice milestones, result from two surface rotations to the Sun acting in combination, so the explanation will be disliked by those who omit this observable fact. When the time-lapse of Uranus speeds up about
50 seconds in, readers can see the planet turn South to North (daily rotation) and a slower rotation from right to left as a function of the orbital motion of the planet and all planets-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=612gSZsplpE
Daily rotation is relatively easy to explain as it creates the day/night cycle with one sunrise/noon/sunset cycle every 24 hours. The surface rotation as a function of the orbital motion as the entire surface turns parallel to the orbital plane takes a
bit of explaining. Still, any high school student will enjoy it with familiarity.
Tell the student that their entire body represents the surface of the Earth as they walk/orbit around a stationary object representing the central and stationary Sun.
The floor represents the road or orbital plane along which the Earth travels through space and around the Sun, while their nose represents roughly where the North pole is relative to the orbital plane.
Tell them to keep their nose pointed in the same direction as they walk around the object imitating the Earth's constant alignment throughout the year-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYy0EQBnqHI
They will quickly discover when they start out on the journey that, in order to keep the constant alignment, they have to walk sideways, then backwards, then sideways in the opposite direction before returning to face forward as they complete their
circuit. Tell the student that, at one time or another, throughout their circuit, different parts of their body face the central object, and this happens with the Earth to the Sun and other planets also. This is where the surface rotation as a function
of the orbital motion of the Earth comes from, along with all its milestones.
Of course, some will dislike it; however, for those who make the effort, it will become enjoyable and productive.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)