Book 2, Question 127
Why Do We Have Seasons?
Why is it warm in summer and chilly in winter? Earth leans as it travels around the sun! Its tilt changes how direct the sunlight is where you live.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- Earth's tilt is about 23 degrees.
- Places farther from the equator get bigger changes in sunlight between summer and winter.
- In June, the Sun's rays hit the northern half of Earth more directly than at any other time of year.
- At its closest, Earth is about 91.4 million miles from the Sun. At its farthest, it is about 94.5 million miles away.
- An Earth year is about 365 days plus about 6 hours.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA Space Place, NASA Space Place
Questions kids ask
What makes spring and autumn?
Spring comes as your half of Earth starts tilting toward the Sun. Autumn comes as it starts tilting away.