Does the distance from the Sun cause Earth's seasons?
1 Answer
Yes, although this is not the orbit around the Sun, but rather the tilt of Earth on its axis.
Explanation:
As the Earth orbits the Sun, it tilts back and forth on its axis.
The axis is the 'imaginary line' the Earth itself rotates around which causes the day-night cycle.
When the Northern hemisphere tilts away from the Sun, it gets 'further' away (although in relation of the distance between the Earth and the Sun this is small) when this happens, Fall and Winter are caused, the adverse effect is that the Southern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. This causes Spring and Summer in the Southern hemisphere.
When the Northern hemisphere tilts towards the Sun, Spring and Summer is brought round, Autumn and Winter is brought round in Southern Hemisphere as it tilts away from the Sun.
Its a strange concept which to get round sometimes, but it works. The tilting of the Earth is also coincidentally in time with the orbit around the Sun, so we have 4 seasons exactly dealt out perfectly that we get each every 91.25 so days.
Hope this helps!
-C.Palmer
