Why Do We Have Seasons?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do we have seasons?

The Big Idea

Earth is tilted! As it goes around the sun, one half leans toward the sun for part of the year, and away for the other part. That tilt is what makes the seasons.

Earth Is Tilted

Step one: Earth is tilted. Earth spins on an imaginary line called its axis, and that axis leans over a little. The lean never changes as we travel around. It always points the same way in space.

The Orbit Continues

Step two: the orbit continues. It takes Earth one whole year to go around the sun. While we travel, the tilt stays the same. So different places lean toward the sun at different times.

Summer Lean, Winter Lean

Step three: a summer lean, a winter lean, and then the year repeats. When your half leans toward the sun, you get longer days and more direct light, so it's summer. When it leans away, the days are shorter and the light is weaker, so it's winter. And then the cycle starts over.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at tilt! The sun shines at the center. When the top half leans toward it, that hemisphere has summer. When it leans away, that hemisphere has winter.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! When it's summer in Canada, it's winter in much of Australia. June does not mean Earth is closest to the sun. Tilt is the main reason. Polar regions can have very long summer days. Seasons change weather safety too. Ice, heat, and storms each need a different plan.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, use a globe and a lamp for the sun. Which end is leaning toward the lamp? What season would that half be having? Explain it to a friend, and you'll be a seasons expert!

Outro

The tilt makes the seasons, and gives each year its magic! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!