The Earth's revolution around the Sun leads to the changing seasons through a combination of the tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit. Here’s how it works:
1. **Tilt of the Earth's Axis**: The Earth is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the Sun. This axial tilt is the primary reason for the variations in sunlight that different parts of the Earth receive throughout the year.
2. **Earth's Orbit**: As the Earth travels in its elliptical orbit around the Sun, the tilt of its axis causes different hemispheres to receive varying amounts of sunlight at different times of the year.
3. **Seasonal Changes**: As the Earth orbits the Sun:
- During summer in the Northern Hemisphere (around June), the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun. This results in longer days and more direct sunlight, causing warmer temperatures.
- Conversely, during winter in the Northern Hemisphere (around December), the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in shorter days and less direct sunlight, leading to colder temperatures.
- In spring (around March) and autumn (around September), both hemispheres receive approximately equal sunlight as the Earth is positioned such that neither pole is tilted significantly toward or away from the Sun.
4. **Opposites in Hemispheres**: While it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa. This is a result of the axial tilt, which causes the sun's rays to hit each hemisphere differently.
In summary, the axial tilt of the Earth combined with its revolution around the Sun creates the seasonal variations in climate and daylight that we experience throughout the year.