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Why regions close to the north pole are almost continuously dark in the winter and almost continuously light in the summer?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
This has to do with the tilt of the Earth's axis and where the Earth is at a particular date. Let me explain. The Earth has a constant tilt of 23.5° as it revolves the sun and as it rotates. All year around, the Earth rotates and as it does the arctic and equator have very different paths. Because the arctic is close to the poles it has the same amount of light in the sky all day. The equator, on the other hand, has day when confronted to the sun and night when spun around without the sun.
During the summer, the northern hemisphere and north pole are tilted toward the sun. As I explained before, the arctic does not move much, so the arctic has constant daylight. During the winter, the northern hemisphere and north pole are tilted away from the sun, and you get constant darkness. The exact opposite occurs in the Southern Hemisphere and south pole.
This can be simulated with everyday objects. Use a round fruit or object as the Earth. Mark the north and south pole, or stick a toothpick or rod through the Earth. Use another object as the sun. In this case we will keep the Earth still and move the sun around the Earth as it is seen on Earth's surface. Tilt the Earth slightly about 23 degrees. Now, slowly revolve the sun around the Earth. When the north pole is closest to the sun stop and, now, rotate the Earth about its axis. Imagine light coming from the sun. The north pole is always lit. If you move the Sun to the other side and rotate the Earth about its axis the north pole is always dark.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe reason why regions close to the North Pole are almost continuously dark in the winter and almost continuously light in the summer has to do with where the sun is. In the winter the sun is very far away and keeps the area dark, in the summer the sun is close and keeps the area light.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThis occurs because the axis of the Earth's rotation (spin) is tilted 23 degrees
from the perpendicular to the orbital plane. For half of Earth's orbit, or year, the
North Pole is tipped away from the Sun, and receives no sunlight at any time.
During the other half of the year, the South Pole is tipped away. The poles
experience 6 months of "day" and 6 months of "night."
The Arctic and Antarctic circles mark the limit of the affected polar regions.
North of the Arctic Circle, any location will have at least one 24-hour stretch
with no sunlight, and at least one 24-hour period when the Sun is always above
the horizon. The same applies to locations that are south of the Antarctic circle.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause there's a tilt to the Earth's axis. If there wasn't, there wouldn't be any seasons. And that's why the northern hemisphere has summer while the southern hemisphere has winter, one half of the globe at a time is pointing towards, or away from the sun.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIt's because the Earth's axis is tilted away from the Sun at that time. In the
arctic the effect is so great that the Sun never gets above the Earth's horizon.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe north pole gets no sunlight in winter - meaning it's dark even at noon.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe phenomenon you describe is caused by the earth's tilt toward and away from the sun during different times of the year.
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Does the seasonal cycle occurs because Earth is closer to the sun in the summer than in the winter?
The Earth rotates on it's axis. In the summer, the Earth is tilted towards the sun. In the winter, the Earth is titled away from the sun. On the Earth, the northern regions (above the equator) have winter, while the southern regions (below the equator) have summer. Then, the opposite becomes true. The southern regions have winter, while the norther regions have summer. The distance nearer and farther from the sun makes no difference as far as the Earth's summer and winter is concerned.
What is the season after summer and before winter?
The season after autumn is winter.
Is November winter?
The weather in November is cool in the Northern hemisphere, but November is warm in the Southern hemisphere.
Name the four seasons?
summer, fall, winter, springAnswerThe 4 seasons on earth are winter ,spring ,summer ,& fall / autumn. In other parts of earth there are only 2 seasons - wet and dry season
Which is better winter or summer?
SUMMER
Does the seasonal cycle occurs because Earth is closer to the sun in the summer than in the winter?
The Earth rotates on it's axis. In the summer, the Earth is tilted towards the sun. In the winter, the Earth is titled away from the sun. On the Earth, the northern regions (above the equator) have winter, while the southern regions (below the equator) have summer. Then, the opposite becomes true. The southern regions have winter, while the norther regions have summer. The distance nearer and farther from the sun makes no difference as far as the Earth's summer and winter is concerned.
Does it snow in Peru on Christmas?
In Peru the seasons are reversed, meaning when its winter here its summer there. So Christmas in Peru occurs during their summer season therefore its almost impossible for snow.
Is it winter or summer in Australia right now?
Now on January 10 2010 at 10 44 PM it is Summer in all regions of Australia.
How many seasons are in North Dakota?
Four: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Construction. (Humorous answer) Four: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Why do fruit flies happen in summer and not winter?
typically all insects disappear in the winter and live in warm to hot climate in the summer. its almost like the birds flying south for the winter! lol
Where does the sun never rise in the winter and never set in the summer?
Due to the inclination of the earth's axis of rotation, regions nearest to one pole experience continuous day for some months, for example, the trading city of Tromso (about 50000 inhabitants) in northern Norway where the sun is visible continuously from late May to late July, while regions nearest to the other pole experience continuous night during that same period.
What are the summers and winters like in Venezuela?
Venezuela doesn't have seasons. It is sunny in some regions and cold in others, and stay with the same climate every year.
Does the gold coast in Queensland get coastal mists in winter?
Almost never. The Gold Coast will get occasional coastal mists during Autumn and Spring, but almost never in Winter or Summer.
Why does the sun not rise in Barrow Alaska during the winter and not set in the summer?
Due to the inclination of the earth's axis of rotation, regions nearest to one pole experience continuous day for some months where the sun is visible continuously from late May to late July, while regions nearest to the other pole experience continuous night during that same period.
Where does spinage grow?
Spinach grows well almost anywhere, and may survive over winter in temperate regions.
Where does cuckoo live?
they live in Tropical Regions, such as Thailand
Why is it dark in the winter and light in the summer?
You need to rephrase your question. It's not dark at midday in the winter, unless you happen to be in polar regions! You mean why is the daylength less in winter than summer. It's because the Earth is cocked over slightly compared with its route around the Sun. So in winter, it leans away from the Sun so gets less light than in summer.
