What is a tropical year?
A) It is the time between seeing the Sun directly overhead in the tropics (between latitudes N 23.5° and S 23.5°) and next seeing it directly overhead again.
B) It is twice the period of time between seeing the Sun directly overhead in the tropics (between latitudes N 23.5° and S 23.5°) and next seeing it directly overhead again.
C) It is the time from one vernal equinox to the next.
D) It is the time between having Polaris as the north star and having Polaris again as the north star, divided by 26,000.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A tropical year is the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun, as measured from one vernal equinox to the next. The vernal equinox is the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. This period is approximately 365.2422 days long. Choice A describes the period of time for one solar cycle at a specific latitude, while choice B is incorrect because it describes a period of time that is twice as long as the actual tropical year. Choice D describes the period of time for the Earth to complete one precession cycle, which is not related to the tropical year.

What Is a Tropical Year