The Tropic of Cancer was named because at the time of its naming, the sun was positioned in the Cancer constellation during the June solstice. This occurs on the June solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun to its maximum extent. The Tropic of Cancer passes through a number of countries and landmarks, including Hawaii, USA, parts of Central America, northern Africa, and the Sahara Desert.

Opposite the Tropic of Cancer is the Tropic of Capricorn, whose latitude line circles the globe at about 23 degrees south (below the equator) and where the sun is exactly overhead on December 21.

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The Tropic of Capricorn (or the Southern Tropic) is the circle of latitude that contains the sub solar point on the December (or southern) solstice. The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates, Register with your social account or click here to log in.

But as not every place has an address, how do you know where a place is located on a globe?

Longitude lines run up and down, or vertically.

The northern zone includes all those locations north of the Tropic of Cancer, while the tropics include all those locations south of the Tropic of Cancer to the equator. Meanwhile, the Arctic Circle receives 24 hours of darkness.

This lesson will explore what these lines are all about and why they are important.

flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. The Tropic of Cancer, which is also referred to as the Northern Tropic, is the most northerly circle of latitude on Earth at which the Sun can be directly overhead. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? The summer solstice – also known as midsummer or festival solstice – occurs when the sun is highest in the sky. It is the most southern point on earth and corresponds to the declination of the sun’s ecliptic to the celestial equator. The Tropic mainly passes through water since there is less land in the Southern Hemisphere for it to cross.

Likewise, the Tropic of Capricorn was named because the sun was in the constellation Capricornduring the December solstice. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Two of these major lines are called the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.

All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Here, we take a look at how the Tropic of Cancer is connected to the summer solstice. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? The Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, which were named around 2,000 years ago, divide the Earth into separate zones. During the summer solstice, areas north of the Arctic Circle receive 24 hours of daylight each day, and no darkness. It is one of the five major circles of latitude dividing the Earth – alongside the Tropic of Capricorn, the equator, the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle. Did you know… We have over 200 college here. in Journalism as well as a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. Tropic of Capricorn, latitude about 23 degrees 27 minutes south of the terrestrial Equator.

It is thus the southernmost latitude where the Sun can be directly overhead. 4 Reading Comprehension Activities Your Students Will Enjoy, 4 Ways to Encourage Student Interest in STEM, 5 Ways to Bring Digital Citizenship Into the Classroom, Virtual Reality & Education: Ideas for Your Classroom, Using Pop Culture in Your Lessons to Engage Students, 4 Ways to Reinvent Traditional Group Projects, Determining Inputs & Outputs of Functions, How to Use Stock Cards for Sales & Purchases, Working with Families to Promote Good Childcare Practices, Leadership with Critical & Reflective Thinking in Nursing, Factors in the Misidentification of Gifted Students, Quiz & Worksheet - Understanding Data Marts, Quiz & Worksheet - Aluminum Chloride Overview, Quiz & Worksheet - The Sirens of Ancient Greece, Quiz & Worksheet - Understanding Object Persistence, Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics, Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate, UExcel Anatomy & Physiology: Study Guide & Test Prep, Prentice Hall World History Connections to Today, The Modern Era: Online Textbook Help, AP European History: Homework Help Resource, Quiz & Worksheet - Polynomials, Binomials, and Quadratics, Quiz & Worksheet - Center, Shape, and Spread, Quiz & Worksheet - Herman Melville's Moby-Dick, Quiz & Worksheet - Add & Subtract Like Fractions & Mixed Numbers, Quiz & Worksheet - IQ History, Theory & Score Interpretation, Restrictive Endorsement: Definition & Example, FTCE Elementary Education K-6: Passing Score, Constellations for Kids: Projects & Activities, FTCE Professional Education Test: Passing Score, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers. The Tropic of Cancer – also called the Northern Tropic – is the most northern circle of latitude on Earth where the sun can appear directly overhead at noon.

It occurs at approximately 23.5° north of the equator. courses that prepare you to earn To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. However, the equator is the most important line of latitude, as it divides the globe in half to form the northern and southern hemispheres. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Create an account to start this course today. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page.