Answer key for Winter Scavenger Hunt

Here are the answers for the Winter Scavenger Hunt Questions:

1.  How many types of snow crystals are there?
There are seven: plates, stellars, columns, needles, spatial dendrites, capped columns, and irregular crystals.

2.  What does “winter” mean?
Winter is an old Germanic word meaning “time of water - of rain and snow.”

3.  What are your favorite winter holidays?
This is an item open for discussion.  Winter holidays include, among others: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day, Inauguration Day(every 4th year), Groundhog Day, St. Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day.  Try to find some of the more unusual ones.

4.  When does winter begin?
The winter solstice, marking the start of winter, is usually on December 21. However, in 2015, it will be on December 22. Check an almanac for the exact date each year.

5.  How long does winter last?
Winter lasts until the vernal, or spring equinox, which generally occurs on March 22.

6.  What is the “scientific name” for the start of winter?
The winter solstice is the scientific name for the first day of winter.  This is the time in the Earth’s orbit when the North pole is tipped farthest away from the sun.  It marks the day when the northern hemisphere receives the smallest amount of sunlight.  From this day until the first day of summer, the amount of daylight increases each day.

7.  Why has the beginning of winter been a time for celebration in many cultures?
This day marks the return of the sun in many Northern hemisphere cultures.  After several months of progressively shorter days, the return to longer days was a welcome event, and cause for celebration.

8.  What wintertime constellation is know as the Hunter?
Orion, easily visible in the winter sky, is also known as the Hunter.

9.  Where was the deepest one day snowfall?
76" at Silver Lake, Colorado on April 14-15, 1921.

10.  From what were the first known skis made? How old are they?
The earliest skis were made from the bones of large animals, and tied to the feet with leather straps or thongs.  The oldest skis found are estimated to be 4,000-5,000 years old.

11.  Where were the first snow-making machines used?
In the Catskill Mountains of New York in 1951.   

12.  Find some famous people who were born during winter.
There are many.  Check with any almanac or encyclopedia.  Some of note are:
  • Jane Fonda - December 21, 1937
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. - January 15, 1929
  • Benjamin Franklin - January 17, 1706
  • Thomas A. Edison - February 11, 1847
  • Susan B. Anthony - February 15, 1820
  • Theodore Seuss Geisel - Dr. Seuss - March 2, 1904
13.  Which Apollo moon mission was launched on the first day of winter?
Apollo 8 was launched on December 21, 1968.

14.  What is a blizzard?  When was the first “unofficial “ blizzard recorded?
The U.S. Weather Bureau definition:
“A snowstorm with winds of at least 35 mph, temperatures 20 degrees F or lower over the period of the storm is a plain ’blizzard.’ A ‘severe blizzard’ has 45 mph or greater winds, blowing snow and temperatures at 10 degrees F or below.” The first “unofficial” blizzard was recorded in the 1870s by an Iowa Newspaper.

15.  What is the origin of the Yule log?
The Yule log is a European tradition.  A special log is placed on the hearth where it glows for the 12 days of the holiday season.  After that, it is kept in the house for good luck and to protect the inhabitants from illness.

16.  Find five facts about Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day.
Any good encyclopedia will have many facts about these winter holidays.

17.  What star signaled the start of winter by the ancient Persians?
The appearance of the star, Aldebaran, located in the constellation Taurus, was considered a sign of the beginning of winter.  This star was also considered to be a lucky star in this culture.

18.  What famous store opened its first “hypermart” in Texas in December 1987?
Wal-mart.

Sources of these facts include: Compton’s Encyclopedia, the Farmer’s Almanac, The Weather Channel web site, and Yahoo!

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