The tilt of the Earth's axis is responsible for the sun hitting different latitudes at different angles. The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun. This means that as the Earth revolves around the Sun throughout the year, different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight, resulting in different angles at which the sunlight strikes different latitudes.
During the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, causing the Sun's rays to hit the Northern Hemisphere at a steep angle. This results in longer daylight hours and higher temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, making it summer during this time.
On the contrary, during the winter solstice, which occurs around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun. Consequently, the Sun's rays hit the Northern Hemisphere at a shallow angle, leading to shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures. It is winter in the Northern Hemisphere during this period.
The equinoxes, which occur around March 21st (spring equinox) and September 22nd (fall equinox), mark the times when the Sun is directly above the equator. As a result, the Sun's rays hit the Earth's equator at a 90-degree angle during these equinoxes.
Overall, it is the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun that causes the sun to hit different latitudes on Earth at different angles throughout the year.
what causes the sun to hit different latitudes on earth at different angles
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