How Earth's orbit and tilt create seasons
The role of Earth's orbit and axis in determining its seasons.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Earth spins on its axis. It rotates once every 24 hours. That means a point on the Equator travels a complete circle each day, a distance equal to 40,075 kilometers or almost 1,670 kilometers per hour.
Earth revolves around an enormous source of energy: the Sun. It orbits the Sun every 365 and one-quarter days.
It spins on an axis that is tilted 23 and a half degrees to the plane of its orbit. This axial tilt remains steady throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, some parts of the Earth are tilted more toward the direct rays of the Sun than others. Bright parts get warmer; darker parts cool off. The differences in the amount of light and heat available at the planet's surface at different parts of the year determine the seasons.
Earth revolves around an enormous source of energy: the Sun. It orbits the Sun every 365 and one-quarter days.
It spins on an axis that is tilted 23 and a half degrees to the plane of its orbit. This axial tilt remains steady throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, some parts of the Earth are tilted more toward the direct rays of the Sun than others. Bright parts get warmer; darker parts cool off. The differences in the amount of light and heat available at the planet's surface at different parts of the year determine the seasons.
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