Would there be seasons on Earth if it orbited the sun in a vertical direction - as both the north and south poles would receive direct sunlight at some point of the year?

Answer 1

1st answer: The question may be asking about what would happen if the Earth's axis were "vertical" (meaning perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit round the Sun). The answer is that sunrise and sunset would be at 6 am and 6 pm every day, everywhere, and there would be no seasons.

2nd answer: The question probably means something like "if the Earth's axis were in the plane of Earth's orbit", as happens, more or less, with Uranus.

In that case, the Sun would be overhead at the north pole once a year, and overhead at the south pole six months later.

At those times the Sun would be more or less on the horizon at the equator.

At certain other times of year the Sun would be overhead at the equator.

So, there certainly would be seasons. The seasons would be very marked and

more extreme than now.

3rd answer: Following on from the second answer, I agree there would, in that case, be increased seasonal variations in temperature at any particular place.

However, I think I can see what this questioner is trying to say.

There would be a decrease in temperature variation between different latitudes when averaged over a full year.

The polar regions would be much hotter than they are now in their summer and the equatorial regions would be much colder than now in their winter.

So the seasons would be more extreme, but climate differences between latitudes would be reduced. I think that makes sense.