How Earth’s Tilt Shapes Our Climate
In How Earth’s Tilt Shapes Our Climate, learn how the Earth’s 23.4° axial tilt causes seasons. Discover the equinoxes, when day and night are equal, and the solstices, which bring the longest and shortest days of the year. This video is excerpted from BBC's Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey, an engaging documentary that explores the intricate dance between Earth and the Sun, revealing how our planet's motions shape the seasons, weather patterns, and life on Earth.
Lesson Express
Q: What is the equinox, and why does it happen?
A: The equinox happens twice a year when Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun, creating equal day and night for both hemispheres.
Q: How does Earth's tilt cause the seasons?
A: The tilt causes one hemisphere to receive more direct sunlight as it tilts toward the Sun, resulting in summer, while the other hemisphere tilts away, creating winter.
Q: How do solstices differ from equinoxes?
A: Solstices occur when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky, creating the longest or shortest days, while equinoxes have equal day and night.
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