Earth’s tilt

Answer 1

Earth's tilt, also known as axial tilt or obliquity, is the angle between the Earth's rotational axis and its orbital plane. The axis is an imaginary line that runs through the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole, while the orbital plane is the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun.

The Earth's tilt is approximately 23.5 degrees with respect to its orbital plane. This tilt is responsible for the changing seasons on Earth. As the Earth orbits around the Sun, different parts of the planet receive different amounts of sunlight, depending on their location relative to the Sun.

During summer in the northern hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in longer days and warmer temperatures. On the other hand, during winter in the northern hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in shorter days and colder temperatures.

The tilt of the Earth also affects the intensity of sunlight received at different latitudes throughout the year. Areas near the equator experience relatively consistent sunlight throughout the year, while areas closer to the poles experience more extreme variations in daylight and temperature.

The Earth's tilt remains relatively constant over long periods of time, although it does undergo periodic changes due to gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies. These changes occur slowly, over thousands of years, and are referred to as axial precession and nutation.