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Basically it doesn't. Earth's orbit, although elliptical, is so close to round (only 1.7 percentage points from being perfectly round) that Earth's distance from the Sun does not vary enough to affect the seasons. Indeed, Earth is closest to the Sun each year on January 4, when it is winter and cold in the Northern Hemisphere.

The seasons are caused by Earth's tilt on its axis. Earth's tilt is constant with respect to the stars, and as Earth goes around the Sun each year sometimes the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and sometimes it is tilted away. The Southern Hemisphere, of course, is tilted the opposite way. When one hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it is summer there and winter in the opposite hemisphere.

Earth's tilt affects the seasons because a beam of sunlight 1 m (3 ft) in diameter warms a patch of ground 1 m across if the beam shines directly down on Earth's surface. But when the beam hits a part of Earth's surface that is tilted, that same beam has to warm a larger patch of ground. Thus the energy in the beam is diffused, and each square centimeter of Earth's surface receives less energy per second.

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Does the distance from the sun affect the earths seasons?

Yes, the distance from the sun does affect Earth's seasons. However, the primary reason for Earth's seasons is the tilt of its axis relative to its orbit around the sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive more or less direct sunlight at different times of the year, resulting in the changing seasons.


Which of these do not contribute to changing seasons?

The axial tilt of the Earth and its orbit around the Sun are the main factors that contribute to changing seasons. Factors like the distance of the Earth from the Sun and its rotation on its axis do not significantly affect the changing of seasons.


What evidence is there that distance from the sun is not a cause of the seasons?

The tilt of Earth's axis is the primary cause of the seasons, not the distance from the sun. This tilt results in different parts of the Earth receiving varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, creating the seasonal changes. If distance from the sun were the cause of the seasons, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres would experience the same seasons at the same time.


Would the northern hemisphere still be in winter when earth is closest to the sun in 13000 years?

No, the Earth's distance from the sun does not affect the seasons. The tilt of the Earth's axis is the primary reason for the seasons. In 13,000 years, the Northern Hemisphere will still experience winter when it is tilted away from the sun.


Does the distance from the sun cause earth's seasons?

The distance from the Earth to the Sun is not a major component of the causes of the seasons.A more important factor is the inclination of the axis.See the answer to "What causes the Earth's seasons?"The Earth is far enough from the Sun that a minor change in it's distance would not cause a significant change in the tempature.

Related Questions

Does the distance from the sun affect the earths seasons?

Yes, the distance from the sun does affect Earth's seasons. However, the primary reason for Earth's seasons is the tilt of its axis relative to its orbit around the sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive more or less direct sunlight at different times of the year, resulting in the changing seasons.


Why isn't the change in earths distance from the sun enough to cause thr seasons?

its to far away


Why is the earths seasons changed?

The seasons change NOT because the Earth rotates, but because of our revelution around the sun. It is summer when the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun. the seasons have nothing to do with the distance to the sun. the Eath is closest to the sun in winter.


What if the earths orbit aroud the sun was circular and not elliptical?

Not much would change. Note that the seasons are NOT related to changes in the distance from the Sun.


Does the distance from the sun affect the earth's temperature?

Because of the Earths atmosphere, the distance from the Sun, does not affect the temperature on the surface of the Earth. In the northern hemisphere, we are closer to the Sun in winter and the furthest away in summer.


Why doesn't the distance between the earth and sun affect the seasons?

The seasons are primarily caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis, not its distance from the sun. This tilt results in different parts of the Earth receiving varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to the four seasons. The distance between the Earth and the sun does impact the intensity of sunlight received (which can affect climate in more subtle ways), but it's not the main driver of the seasonal changes.


Which of these do not contribute to changing seasons?

The axial tilt of the Earth and its orbit around the Sun are the main factors that contribute to changing seasons. Factors like the distance of the Earth from the Sun and its rotation on its axis do not significantly affect the changing of seasons.


Why does the distance form the earth to sun determine the seasons?

because the earths axis is tilted because im amazing..........balls


Does the sun's revolutions cause the seasons.?

no. the earths orbit cause the seasons


How earths distance from the sun change throughout the year?

how does earths distance from the sun change throughout the year


What evidence is there that the distance of the sun is not the cause of the seasons?

It is the tilting of the Earth on its axis that causes the seasons, not the distance from the Sun.


Why isnt the change in earths distance from the sun enough to cause the seasons?

The change in distance is not very significant. Note that when it is Summer in the northern hemisphere, it is Winter in the south, and vice versa. This has nothing to do with the distance from the Sun, which is practically the same for North and South.