When Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun during June, some would argue that the cause of our seasons is that the Northern Hemisphere is physically closer to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere, and this is the primary reason the Northern Hemisphere is warmer. What argument or line of evidence could contradict this idea?

Question

Gina Collins

Physics

15 April, 10:02

When Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun during June, some would argue that the cause of our seasons is that the Northern Hemisphere is physically closer to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere, and this is the primary reason the Northern Hemisphere is warmer. What argument or line of evidence could contradict this idea?

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Answers (1)

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Daniela Good · Answer 1

Distance of Earth from the Sun has nothing to do with the seasons only the tilt is responsible for the change in seasons.

Explanation:

The Earth's tilt does cause the seasons but the distance from the sun and has nothing to do with the change in seasons. In June, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted in the direction of the Sun during the Northern Hemisphere summer the Earth is actually farthest from the Sun. In January, when the Southern Hemisphere is tilted in the direction of the Sun during the Northern Hemisphere winter the Earth is actually closest to the Sun. This is caused due to the elliptical orbit of the Earth. So, distance of Earth from the Sun has nothing to do with the seasons.