Seasons are a result of the tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun. Here’s how it works:
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Tilt of the Earth: The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun. This tilt means that different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
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Orbit around the Sun: As the Earth orbits the Sun over the course of a year, the tilt causes different hemispheres to be angled towards or away from the Sun at different times.
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Seasonal Changes:
- Summer: When a hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences more direct sunlight and longer days, resulting in warmer temperatures.
- Winter: Conversely, when a hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, it receives less direct sunlight and shorter days, leading to cooler temperatures.
- Spring and Autumn (Fall): These seasons occur during the transitional periods when neither hemisphere is tilted significantly towards or away from the Sun, leading to more moderate temperatures.
In the Northern Hemisphere, summer typically occurs from June to September, while winter falls from December to March. In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed, with summer from December to March and winter from June to September.
This consistent pattern of tilt and orbit is what gives us the cyclical nature of the seasons.