Why Are There Seasons?

Why are there seasons?

There���s a common misconception that seasons change based on Earth���s distance from the Sun. The distance has little to do with it ���when it���s winter in the United States, it���s summer in Australia. The Earth spins not straight up and down like a top, but on a 23.5 degree tilt. In December, the North Pole is pointed away from the Sun, meaning the Sun doesn���t get as high in the sky and has less time to heat the ground, which heats the air. But the South Pole is pointed towards the Sun, meaning the Southern Hemisphere is getting more sun and more heat, making it summer. Six months later, in June, the North Pole is pointed towards the Sun, giving the Northern Hemisphere a summer and the Southern Hemisphere a winter.

June 21 Winter Summer 23.5 Summer Winter 23.5 December 21

Winter sun path

Summer sun path WHY ARE THERE SEASONS? There's a common misconception that meaning the Sun doesn't get as high in the sky and has less time to heat the ground, which heats the air. But the South Pole is pointed towards the Sun, meaning the Southern Hemisphere is getting seasons change based on Earth's distance from the Sun. The distance has little to do with it - when it's winter in the United States, it's summer in Australia. The Earth spins not straight up and down like a top, but on a 23.5 degree tilt. In December, the North Pole is pointed away from the Sun, more sun and more heat, making it summer. Six months later, in June, the North Pole is pointed towards the Sun, giving the Northern Hemisphere a summer and the Southern Hemisphere a winter. 23.50 23.50 Summer Winter June 21 December 21 Winter Summer SOURCE: NOAA http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Imk/?n=seasons visual.ly Summer sun path Winter sun path