The Seasons
⭐ MasteredEarth's axis is tilted. As it orbits the Sun, different parts get more direct sunlight, causing spring, summer, autumn and winter. When it's summer in the north it's winter in the south.
Seasons are due to tilt, not distance from the Sun.
All about The Seasons
The seasons happen because Earth's axis is tilted by about 23.5 degrees. As Earth orbits the Sun, each hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun for part of the year, which gives longer days and more direct sunlight. That hemisphere has summer, while the other has winter.
When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are not caused by Earth's distance from the Sun, which changes only slightly during the year.
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Real-life uses of The Seasons
- Planning when to plant crops
- Understanding why days are longer in summer
- Explaining why seasons are opposite in different countries
Frequently asked questions about The Seasons
Why is it hotter in summer?
The Sun shines more directly and for longer each day, so the ground and air absorb more heat.
Are seasons caused by Earth moving closer to the Sun?
No. Earth is actually closest to the Sun in early January, during Northern Hemisphere winter.
What is the equinox?
A time in spring and autumn when day and night are roughly equal in length everywhere on Earth.