150 likes | 344 Views
The Earth’s Tilt. The Earth’s Tilt. The Earth is tilted on its axis at 23.5 degrees For 6 months the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and for the next 6 months the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun This is the cause for the seasons. Solstices/Equinox.
E N D
The Earth’s Tilt • The Earth is tilted on its axis at 23.5 degrees • For 6 months the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and for the next 6 months the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun • This is the cause for the seasons
Solstices/Equinox • Summer Solstice-June 22nd, Maximum amount of daylight for the Northern Hemisphere • Autumnal Equinox-September 22st, Equal amount of sunlight for both Hemispheres • Winter Solstice-December 22st, Maximum amount of daylight for the Southern Hemisphere • Vernal Equinox-March 22st, Equal amount of sunlight for both Hemispheres
Precession • Precession is the change in the orientation of a rotating axis • The angle remains constant but the direction of the axis changes • Would not affect Earth’s Seasons but would affect what stars are seen at night
Nutation • Nutation is the wobbling that occurs around Earth’s axis which changes the angle about ½ of a degree every 18 years • Happens due to the gravitational pull of the moon
Barycenter • A barycenter is the center that 2 objects orbit around. • When the moon orbits a planet both bodies orbit around a point in the middle • This point is closer to the larger body
Barycenter • The sun does not remain motionless in the solar system. • Due to the pull of the planet’s gravity the sun orbits a barycenter in the solar system