Reasons for the Seasons

 

 

Earth has four distinct seasons

á      Summer

á      Autumn (Fall)

á      Winter

á      Spring

 

Distance from the Sun

á    Distance from the Sun is not the reason for the seasons

á    The Earth is closer to the sun during the winter

á    It is furthest in July

 

Rotate vs Revolve

á    The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. 

á    It revolves around the Sun once every 365.25 days.

 

Direct vs Indirect Sun Rays

á    The sunÕs rays are more intense when they are more direct.

 

Tilt of the Earth

á    There is a 23.5¡ tilt in the EarthÕs axis.

á    The northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun in the summer and away from the sun in the winter.

 

Seasons

á    The hemisphere that is tilted towards the sun gets direct sun rays making it summer

á    The hemisphere tilted away from the sun gets indirect sun rays making it winter