The axial tilt of the Earth ensures that different places receive different amounts of sunlight. How does this cause solstices and equinoxes? If it weren’t tilted, we wouldn’t have had seasons – only areas that were colder (near the poles) and warmer (near the Equator). The Earth is slightly tilted while it orbits around the Sun, which means, it is slightly pointed towards or away from the Sun.ĭepending on your location on Earth, there are times your half of the world, known as the hemisphere, is pointed toward the Sun, while, at other times, it is pointed away from the Sun.Īs the tilt of Earth’s axis points one’s hemisphere towards or away from the Sun, we experience the changing of the seasons. Again, the axis tilt of the earth is what’s important The amount of sunlight these places receive varies with the Earth’s axial tilt. Yet, not all places get these four seasons. The seasonal cycle of spring, summer, monsoon, and winter we all enjoy is because of the Earth spinning around the sun.
The Earth revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit (oval) – a motion most celestial bodies, like planets have because of the gravitational force.Įarth’s revolution is what causes seasons. Revolution is, in a sense, a larger motion.
It takes 365 and ¼ days for the Earth to make one complete trip around the Sun, which, we define as a year. While busy in turning daily circles, the Earth is also traveling around the Sun, which is known as Earth’s orbit. Areas around the latitudes of the Arctic Circle etc receive lesser sunlight. The tilt leads to some areas around latitudes like the Equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn to receive more sunlight. And this tilting of the axis causes a difference in the amount and kind of sunlight Earth receives over its entire surface area. This axis is not straight, it’s inclined at 23.5 degrees. The Earth’s axis is an imaginary line that runs between the north and south poles. One rotation is completed in 24 hours, which is one day for us.īut, here’s the interesting part – the inclination (angle or slant) of the Earth’s axis is important to understand. It is believed that the rotation is caused by the Earth’s magnetic field. The Earth rotates around its axis, spinning like a top. The Earth moves in two ways – rotation and revolving – here’s what the two mean Rotation
Similarly, the equinoxes and solstices are dependent on the Earth’s revolution around the sun. Have you ever thought if we have a signal for the change in seasons? To understand all this, one needs to understand the Earth’s orbit and how it functions. Have you ever wondered why is there more daylight in summer than in winter? You would have seen a lot of different kinds of seasons in a year – have you ever thought about why seasons change? The equinoxes happen twice a year– once on 21 March and once on 23 September. The Equinox – either of the two times in a year when the Sun is right above the Equator and day and night are of equal length. This is marked by the longest and shortest days in the year (about 21 June and 22 December). The Solstice – either of the two times in a year when the Sun’s path is as far north or as far south from the Earth’s Equator. What’s the difference between a Solstice and an Equinox? Both are periodic solar events that happen on the same date every year. You’ll see that the difference lies in their very definitions. Written by Saanchi Biyani, a grade 5 student.įirst, here’s what they both mean – and you’ll see the difference.
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