What Causes Seasons?
By: Cynthia Hernandez
We know that there are four different seasons here on Earth. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. But have you ever wondered why we have four seasons?
Write down three facts you learned from the short video. Go back and watch it again if needed.
The Earth's axis is tilted at a 23.5 degree angle. To put it simply this tilt causes the Earth to point in the same direction as the Earth rotates around the Sun.
In the Summer, the Earth tilts towards the Sun. In the Winter, the Earth tilts away from the Sun.
During the Summer, the sun is higher in the sky. The long daylight hours during the summer months allow the Earth plenty of time to reach warm temperatures.
During the winter, the sun is lower in the sky. The long nights and short days prevent the Earth from warming up.
In between Summer and Winter, Autumn and Spring happen.
In the Autumn, the Sun rises lower in the sky so the days start getting shorter. Day and night are both 12 hours long.
In the Spring, The Sun moves higher in the sky and the days get longer.