Earth's Seasons

Front

What is a leap year?

Back

A leap year is a year that has one extra day, February 29, added to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the Sun. Leap years occur every 4 years.

Front

When does the summer solstice occur?

Back

The summer solstice occurs on June 21, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Front

What causes the seasons on Earth?

Back

The tilt of the Earth's axis as it revolves around the Sun causes different areas to receive varying amounts of sunlight, leading to the seasons.

Front

What is the difference between rotation and revolution?

Back

Rotation is the spinning of the Earth on its axis, taking about 24 hours, while revolution is the Earth's orbit around the Sun, taking about 365.25 days.

Front

What season is it in the Northern Hemisphere when it is tilted towards the Sun?

Back

When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it is summer.

Front

What is the winter solstice?

Back

The winter solstice occurs around December 21 and is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Front

How many seasons are there in a year?

Back

There are four seasons in a year: spring, summer, fall (autumn), and winter.

Front

What is the equinox?

Back

An equinox occurs twice a year when day and night are approximately equal in length, around March 21 (spring) and September 23 (fall).

Front

What happens during the fall equinox?

Back

During the fall equinox, the Northern Hemisphere begins to tilt away from the Sun, leading to shorter days and cooler temperatures.

Front

What is the significance of the tilt of the Earth?

Back

The tilt of the Earth (about 23.5 degrees) is significant because it affects the intensity and duration of sunlight received at different latitudes, causing the seasons.