Why Do Seasons Change? Fun Facts About Earth That Will Surprise You

Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason
Oct 06, 2023 By Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason
Originally Published on Oct 13, 2021
Many people often wonder why do seasons change.
Age: 3-18
Read time: 7.2 Min

The Earth is a planet that rotates on its axis while orbiting around the sun.

The Earth's four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, change as it spins on its axis and revolves around the Sun. The seasons in different regions of Earth change based on which hemisphere is facing toward the sun.

There are four seasons due to the tilt of Earth's rotation from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere according to the distance from the sun and moon. Better understand our ever-orbiting planet with these interesting tidbits.

Curious about the science of seasonal change? Every year, the Earth moves around the sun and the moon, causing the four seasons. Earth rotates on an axis, which is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This axis tilt causes the sun to be higher in the sky during the summer and lower in the sky during the winter. The Earth's axis wobbles slightly as it spins into the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere. That means that seasons will change gradually over time, according to the distance from the sun and the moon, and the length of a year will vary too. The Earth's seasons are caused by the tilt of the planet's axis and its orbital path. There are a lot of other interesting things about Earth, from why we have day and night to where all of Earth's water came from.

Have you ever wondered why seasons or weather change? Why do some months have wet weather and others have dry weather? How does the Earth manage to sustain different climate-related zones, despite being so small relative to the universe? After you are done reading all about why do seasons change, you would surely like to read why do we only see one side of the moon and why do we pray.

What causes the seasons to change?

As the Earth moves around the sun, we experience a different season. The Earth's tilt and position relative to its orbit from the North Pole to the South Pole cause the seasons. It will be summer in the region where the sun's rays are striking the surface at a direct angle. In the region where the sun's rays are less direct on the Earth's surface, there will be winter.

Have you ever wondered why do seasons change from summer to winter and what causes the seasons to change? Seasons change because of the Earth's orbit around the sun. The Earth travels faster in its orbit when it is in a direction closer to the sun’s rays, making the days shorter during the winter months. The Earth's axis tilts at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This tilt causes a slight variation in the Earth's distance from the sun, resulting in more or less energy being received by the Earth during different times of the year while revolving. All four seasons are caused by the Earth's tilt on its axis. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun during the months of June or July, it is summer. When the Northern Hemisphere has tilted away from the sun during December, it is winter. This same idea is at work when the length of days and nights change on Earth. To be precise, the seasons and amount of daylight of a location are relative to the sun's position in relation to the North Pole and the South Pole. Moreover, the distance of the Earth from the Sun is also responsible for the seasonal changes on our planet.

Why do we have seasons on Earth?

Have you ever wondered why the climate in your part of the world is so different from what you see on TV or in movies? Let's explore how the Earth's orbit around the sun and tilted axis affects the seasons.

The Earth is spinning on its axis and revolving around the sun, explaining why we have seasons. Earth has seasons that are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. As a planet, Earth orbits around the sun. But, because of Earth's tilt on its axis, it doesn't orbit at a constant speed or distance from the sun. This tilt causes the sun to be higher in the summer and lower in the winter, giving us more or less direct sunlight. Earth rotates on its axis, from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere, once each day and night, but because of its tilt, it makes one complete revolution around the sun in about 365 days. Therefore, Earth has seasons, because the Earth's axis is tilted at an angle while revolving. As the Earth moves around the sun, different parts of the world are exposed to different amounts of direct sunlight.

What causes the Earth to tilt?

The Earth's axis is what causes the Earth to tilt. It's called axial tilt. The Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun, giving rise to seasons. This tilt is also responsible for most of the sunsets that we observe throughout the year. The seasons on Earth are related to which hemisphere is facing away from the sun and which hemisphere is closer to the sun.

The Earth's rotation on its axis causes the Earth to spin, and this spinning is what causes the Earth to tilt. If it spins straight up and down like a top, one side would always be facing the sun’s rays and we would have only one season. The Earth rotates around the Sun with a tilted axis, allowing us to experience four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Scientists have put forth the reasoning that the massive collisions that Earth experienced in the final years of its formation caused it to lean over a bit. It is speculated that the planet faced at least 10 such collisions with other celestial bodies that resulted in the Earth having a tilt of 23.5 degrees to its axis. As a result, our planet now has four seasons every year. The big collision also released rubble and dust into orbit, which scientists believe have developed into our only natural satellite moon.

Different Parts Of Earth Have Different Seasons

The distance of the Earth from the sun also has an effect on the seasons on the Earth.

The four seasons are due to the Earth's axis being tilted in relation to its orbit. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun in June or July, it will be summer for that hemisphere. The opposite season will be experienced by the Southern Hemisphere during June or July. Therefore, while December means winter for the Northern Hemisphere, summer in the Southern Hemisphere actually begins in December.

The Earth is tilted on its axis by 23.5 degrees, which means that when it orbits the sun, it is tilted in a different direction. This creates different seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This tilt causes different areas to be pointed toward the sun at different times of the year. Therefore, different parts of the Earth have different seasons. The seasons are simply the result of the Earth's axis. As it rotates, one side of the planet is moving away from or toward the Sun. So if the particular part of the Earth is nearest to the sun it would be the summer season, and if the particular part of the Earth is away or in opposite directions to the sun then it would be having the winter season.

Why does Earth have four seasons?

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. The earth rotates on its axis as it orbits the sun. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun in June or July, summer occurs. When it's tilted away, winter. This cycle is what causes the Earth to experience four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

The Earth has four seasons in a year because of the Earth's axis. The Earth is tilted at a 23.5 degrees to the sun, around which it revolves once every 365 days. This means that during a year, the amount of sunlight that reaches affects the seasons and weather. As a result, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience different amounts of sunlight during winter and summer. Winter occurs in the hemisphere when it is tilted away from the sun, and summer happens in the hemisphere where it is tilted closer to the sun. This tilt causes different amounts of sunlight to fall on different parts of the Earth and causes the seasons.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do seasons change then why not take a look at winter facts or zodiac facts?

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Written by Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason

Bachelor of Science specializing in Mass Communication.

Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason picture

Adekunle Olanrewaju JasonBachelor of Science specializing in Mass Communication.

With over 3+ years of professional experience, Olanrewaju is a certified SEO Specialist and Content Writer. He holds a BSc in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. Throughout his dynamic career, Olanrewaju has successfully taken on various roles with startups and established organizations. He has served as a Technical Writer, Blogger, SEO Specialist, Social Media Manager, and Digital Marketing Manager. Known for his hardworking nature and insightful approach, Olanrewaju is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.
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