THE AXIS OF THE EARTH TILTS AT A 23.5 DEGREE ANGLE.

The Earth's seasons are not caused by the differences in the distance from the Sun throughout the year (these differences are extremely small). The seasons are the result of the tilt of the Earth's axis.

ON THE SUMMER SOLSTICE JUNE 21ST , THE NORTH POLE TILTS TOWARD THE SUN.

ON THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE EXPERIENCES THE LONGEST HOURS OF DAYLIGHT. THE FURTHER NORTH OF THE EQUATOR, THE MORE DAYLIGHT HOURS.

THE SUN’S PATH ON THE SUMMER SOLSTICE IT RISES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE EASTERN SKY AND SETS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE WESTERN SKY. THE SUN REACHES ITS HIGHEST POSITION IN THE SKY.

ON THEWINTER SOLSTICE, DECEMBER 21ST THE NORTH POLE TILTS AWAY FROM THE SUN

ON THE WINTER SOLSTICE, THE FURTHER NORTH OF THE EQUATOR YOU ARE THE LESS HOURS OF DAYLIGHT THERE ARE. THIS IS A CITY IN NORTHERN ALASKA

THE SUN’S PATH ON THE WINTER SOLSTICE IT RISES IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE EASTERN SKY AND SETS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE WESTERN SKY. THE SUN REACHES ITS LOWEST POSITION IN THE SKY

.THE PATH OF THE SUN ACROSS THE SKY Summer: longer days, sun arcs higher in sky Winter: shorter days, sun arcs lower in sky.

The tilt of the Earth’s axis causes some places to receive direct sunlight... while other places receive indirect sunlight. Notice how direct sunlight is more concentrated than indirect sunlight.

THE SPRING AND FALL EQUINOX. THE SUN IS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EQUATOR.

ON THE SPRING EQUINOX THE SUN RISES EXACTLY IN THE EAST TRAVELS THROUGH THE SKY FOR 12 HOURS AND SETS EXACTLY IN THE WEST. ON THE EQUINOX THIS IS THE MOTION OF THE SUN THROUGH THE SKY FOR EVERYONE ON EARTH. EVERY PLACE ON EARTH EXPERIENCES A 12 HOURS DAY TWICE A YEAR ON THE SPRING AND FALL EQUINOX.

ON THE DAYS OF THE SOLSTICE AND EQUINOX, THE SUN REACHES DIFFERENT HEIGHTS IN THE SKY AND THE SUN RISES AND SETS IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE SKY.

Near New York State North Pole