Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Cancer
The Tropic of Cancer (pronunciation: /ˈtrɒpɪk əv ˈkænsər/), also referred to as the Northern Tropic, is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It is the most northerly circle of latitude on the Earth at which the Sun can be directly overhead. This event occurs once per year, at the time of the June solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun to its maximum extent.
Etymology
The term "Tropic of Cancer" is derived from the Latin Tropicus Cancri, which means "the tropic of the Crab". This is because when the Sun reaches the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer, it is entering the Zodiac sign of Cancer (the Crab).
Related Terms
- Tropic of Capricorn: The southern counterpart to the Tropic of Cancer.
- Equator: The circle of latitude that is equidistant from the poles and divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
- Arctic Circle: The most northerly of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth.
- Antarctic Circle: The most southerly of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth.
- Solstice: An event occurring when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tropic of Cancer
- Wikipedia's article - Tropic of Cancer
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