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Course: Middle school Earth and space science - NGSS > Unit 2
Lesson 1: SeasonsSeasons
Review your understanding of seasons in this free article aligned to NGSS standards.
Key points:
- Earth’s axis is tilted. As a result, as Earth orbits the sun, different parts of Earth point toward or away from the sun. This causes the seasons.
- When the Northern or Southern Hemisphere points toward the sun, it’s summer in that hemisphere. During this time, the sun’s rays are more direct.
- When the Northern or Southern Hemisphere points away from the sun, it’s winter in that hemisphere. During this time, the sun’s rays are less direct.
- The Northern and Southern Hemispheres always have opposite seasons.
- Throughout the year, the equator receives the greatest amount of direct sunlight, so it tends to be warm. In contrast, the poles receive the least, so they tend to be cold.
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if we came a few more miles closer to the sun than usual what would be the outcome(42 votes)
Earth is on an elliptical orbit so we get closer and further away all the time. If we got significantly closer we'd end up like Venus which is basically a death trap(74 votes)
How did the northern and southern hemisphere's get their names,and meaning's.(29 votes)
Their names are based on their position relative to the equator. So, the Northern Hemisphere is located north of the equator, and the Southern Hemisphere is located south of the equator.(35 votes)
why is the earth tilled(23 votes)
This is one of those tough questions which don't have a definite answer. One theory is that a mega asteroid from Jupiter (Who at the time was within range of Earth, and was flinging asteroids everywhere due to its strong gravitational pull) crashed into Earth during its primordial stage. This collision was so intense, that a massive chunk of the Earth flew off. However, the Earth's gravity slung it back into orbit, thus creating the Moon.(35 votes)
- how come the sun don't spin like the rest of the plants(15 votes)
the sun does spin but is spins slowly and on an axis so we can not feel it(27 votes)
how come even though fall and spring are getting a similar amount of sunlight, why is fall colder??(17 votes)
Remember that fall begins at an equinox (when we're getting an equal amount of daytime and nighttime) and ends at the winter solstice (the least amount of daylight. Spring begins on another equinox but ends on the summer solstice (when we're getting the most sunlight we get).
Does that help at all?(25 votes)
What if the sun spun incredibly fast? What would happen?(13 votes)
It is kind of complicated, so I'll use an analogy here. The sun's rapid rotation would resemble that of a figure skater spinning while holding out their arms. The spin's force would spread the sun's material out like a figure skater's arms by pushing it away from the centre. As a result of the centrifugal force, the sun would become much larger becoming a red giant and growing significantly bigger and brighter. Because it would be more brighter and warmer, it would have a significant impact on the planets in the solar system and may make it difficult for life to survive. After a few million years, Earth would be swallowed by the rapidly expanding sun.(24 votes)
what would happen if another star came towards our solar system? How would we be affected(20 votes)- if another star came towards our solar system and it is bigger than our sun, we would parish. if it was smaller and weaker it would probably crash into our sun and cause us to parish too(2 votes)
how does a eclipse happen(12 votes)- A Solar Eclipse happens when the moon orbits just in front of the sun for a few moments every so often. There can be a total eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, causing it to turn black. There can also be a partial eclipse when the moon only covers a portion of the sun.
There can also be lunar eclipses! This happens when the sun, moon and earth are in near complete alignment, and you'll see the moon turn red and then disappear if it is total, or partially disappear if it is a partial eclipse, these happen every year around the world.(15 votes)
What's your guy's favorite season?(10 votes)- Winter- so that i get cosy and warm infront of a fireplace.(12 votes)
- Why do people say that northern and southern hemisphere's are the oppiosite.(5 votes)
- Opposites attract in electricity and magnetism. When we have a compass that’s showing where the Earth’s North pole is, the compass needle’s south pole is pointing to the Earth’s north. Or you could say it’s really the needle’s north pole, and it’s actually pointing to the Earth’s South Pole, which we just call the north.(19 votes)
