Thus, sometimes it is the North Pole tilting toward the sun (like in June) and sometimes it is the South Pole tilting toward the sun (like in December). So different parts of Earth get the sun's direct rays as we travel through the year. So, here we are, orbiting the sun, but tilted a bit and always with the axis pointed in the same direction. At least that is generally accepted theory. Incidentally, that big something that hit Earth also knocked a chunk of it out that became our Moon. So instead of rotating with its axis perpendicular to its orbital plane, it is tilted 23.45 degrees from the perpendicular.

There is a completely different reason for Earth's seasons.Įarth has seasons because sometime early in its long history, something very big hit the young Earth to knock it off-kilter. However, in the Northern Hemisphere, we are having winter when Earth is closest to the sun and summer when it is farthest away! It is slightly elongated, so that during part of the year, Earth is closer to the sun than at other times. It is true that Earth's orbit is not a perfect circle. Although this idea makes sense, it is incorrect.

Animation of earth spinning and seasons