The Reasons for the Seasons:
How the Earth and Sun interact to Create Seasons

Overview

The amount of solar energy reaching Earth at any particular latitude is defined by how the Earth orbits the Sun. As the Earth orbits the Sun, its axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.5° from its orbital plane, this tilt is referred to as the angle of inclination.

Because Earth's axis of spin always points in the same direction-toward the North Star-the orientation of Earth's axis to the Sun is always changing as the Earth orbits around the Sun. As this orientation changes throughout the year, so does the distribution of sunlight at any given latitude. This activity explores the amount of solar energy reaching a location at different times of year. After exploring the amount of solar energy received, we will explore the temperatures of cities throughout the world and how this relates to the incoming solar energy.

To the left are links to each activity. Some of the activities have lots of things for you to change, so you might want to watch the short videos (mp4) that explain what you have control to change.

If you do not know the latitude that you live, you can use this NASA site to find your latitude and longitude

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