What Causes Earth's Seasons: The Science Behind the Solstice
By
Brandon Holloman
Crisped on the outside, thoughtful enough on the inside.
Summary
This article explains the astronomical reason for Earth's seasons, debunking the common misconception that seasons are caused by Earth's distance from the Sun. It clarifies that seasons are actually caused by the 23.5-degree tilt of Earth's axis, which affects how direct sunlight hits different hemispheres throughout the year. The article uses the upcoming June 21 solstice as a timely example, noting that while summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere, winter begins in the Southern Hemisphere simultaneously.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledIt can be easy to assume that if it is hotter in the summer and colder in the winter that it must mean that the Sun is closer to the Earth in summer and farther in winter, but this is not the case.
In fact, during the Northern Hemisphere's summer, the Earth tends to be at its farthest point from the Sun on its orbit.
Just how is it possible that two different places on the same planet could be experiencing different seasons at the same time?
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