This question popped up in a discussion with a coworker regarding the seasons. As I recall, the angular inclination is approx 13 degrees relative to the Earth’s solar orbital plane, I believe; I’m not certain of this, though. Additionally, I tend to believe that the angle is somewhat constant.
My coworker disagrees, though. He accounts for the seasons by believing the pitch/angle varies throughout the year. But I asked, what phenomenon occurs that is great enough to pitch the Earth up to 13° (or whatever the angle is) in one direction, reverse direction, and then pitch it 13° in the opposite direction? The force required to do this would be tremendous.
I contend that the angle is constant. When the North pole is pitched toward the Sun, the northern hemisphere has its warmer months. At the opposite end of the Earth’s orbit about the sun, the North pole would be pitched away from the Sun, thus the colder months.
Can anyone shine some light on this topic? Thanks for your help.
2006-12-23
03:46:48
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7 answers
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asked by
Anonymous
in
Astronomy & Space