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Why do the seasons change?
The seasons change because the Earth leans over on its axis, and as it goes around the Sun, this tilt makes some places get more or less sunlight.
The Earth does not stand up straight in space. It leans a little to one side, which we call being tilted. This tilt is about 23 degrees. The Earth travels all the way around the Sun once a year. As it travels, the tilt always points the same way.
Because of this, at one time of year the Northern Hemisphere leans a bit closer to the Sun and gets more light, so it has summer. At the very same time, the Southern Hemisphere gets less light, so it has winter. Six months later, when the Earth has moved further around, everything switches around.
The seasons do NOT change because the Earth moves closer to or further from the Sun. The real reason is the tilt of its axis. That is why places near the poles have summers with very long days, and winters with very long nights.
Quick facts
- The Earth takes about 365 days to go around the Sun once.
- The Earth's axis is tilted by about 23 degrees.
- The seasons change because of the tilt of the Earth's axis, not because of how far it is from the Sun.
- When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time.
- Places near the Equator have very little difference between the seasons.
Check what you remember
3 questions — all of them come from the quick facts above. There is no score and no wrong turn.
1. What is the real reason the seasons change?
2. How many days does it take the Earth to go around the Sun?
3. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere?
Where this comes from
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2 tr.wikipedia.org 80/100Season - Wikipedia
An encyclopedia page that explains simply how the seasons happen.
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3 britannica.com 78/100Season - Britannica
An encyclopedia page where you can find the scientific explanation of the seasons.
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