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PIP’S STARHAVEN · FIELD NOTES · PARENTS & TEACHERS

Seasons: Earth’s tilt matters

Axial tilt changes solar elevation and the duration of daylight as Earth orbits the Sun. These changes alter how much solar energy reaches a region each day.

The main cause of Earth’s seasons is not changing distance from the Sun. Both hemispheres share nearly the same Sun–Earth distance at any moment yet have opposite seasons. Local seasonal weather also depends on geography.

Wonder about this

If Sweden has summer, must Australia also have summer?

A science clue

No. They are in opposite hemispheres and have opposite seasons.