The Science of Earth's Seasonal Changes

Summer isn't hot because we're closer to the Sun; it's because our planet is permanently tilted.

Earth's axis is tilted at about 23.5 degrees. As we orbit the Sun over 365 days,

this tilt means one hemisphere gets more direct sunlight while the other gets less.

Around June 22nd, the Northern Hemisphere is angled towards the Sun, giving us long days

and direct heat—that's our summer. Six months later, around December 22nd,

we're tilted away. The sun's rays hit us at a shallow angle, bringing short days

and cold weather. This same tilt is why the poles experience months of total daylight or complete

darkness. Our entire year is just one long, cosmic lean.