Earth's annual revolution around the Sun, combined with its axial tilt, is fundamental in creating the seasons. Here are the key points explaining how this process works:
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Tilt of Earth's Axis: Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the Sun. This tilt is a crucial factor in how sunlight is distributed across the planet as it revolves.
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Variation in Sunlight: As Earth orbits the Sun over the course of a year, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight at different times. During summer in one hemisphere, that hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, whereas the opposite hemisphere experiences winter with shorter days and less direct sunlight.
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Seasonal Changes: The four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—are a result of this variation in sunlight. For instance, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun (around June), it experiences summer; conversely, when it is tilted away from the Sun (around December), it experiences winter. The Southern Hemisphere experiences the opposite seasons.
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Equinoxes and Solstices: The positions of Earth in relation to the Sun during its orbit also result in equinoxes and solstices. Equinoxes occur when the sunlight shines directly on the equator, leading to nearly equal day and night lengths, while solstices mark the points where the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, resulting in the longest or shortest days of the year.
In summary, Earth's revolution around the Sun, along with the axial tilt, results in the seasonal changes we experience throughout the year.
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