If the earth had not developed a tilt how would it have evolved?

Answer 1

Fewer seasonal changes. The tilt is responsible for the major changes in the season to season weather.

Without a tilt, the equator would always be under the incoming direct rays of the sun and would probably have a much warmer climate than it does now. The pole would always receive less light (or really light at a angle) and would probably be colder.

The mid and temperate zones might very well stratify. It is impossible to determine whether or not rainy seasons and dry seasons would still occur, but if they did, they would be less variable than now. Climates would definitely be different. Altitudes would play a more important role.

Plant dormancy (for example deciduous trees) and hibernation of animals would probably not occur. I have no idea what may have happened in terms of any plant or animal which has annual cycles. Would all plant life be perennial, with no annual cycles? Would runting seasons and mating seasons still be in existance? This is anyone's guess.

Answer 2

In the same way, however the seasons would not change in any geographical location. As the earth orbits the sun the tilt remains the same, North pole inclines to the right, South pole inclined to the left.

The reason for changes in Earth's seasons is the Earth's tilt, not its distance from the sun.

In the Northern Hemisphere summer, the land north of the equator is tilted towards the sun, allowing more of the sun’s energy to heat the Northern Hemisphere.

Conversely, during the Northern Hemisphere winter, the land north of the equator is tilted away from the sun, which lowers the amount of the sun’s energy warming the Northern Hemisphere.

The Earth is actually closer to the sun during the Northern Hemisphere winter, but since the hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it still feels like winter.

In fact, the Earth's average temperature is actually higher in July, when it's the farthest from the sun.

"Averaged over the globe, sunlight falling on Earth in July (aphelion) is indeed about 7% less intense than it is in January (perihelion)," says Roy Spencer of the Global Hydrology and Climate Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Still, "the average temperature of Earth at aphelion is about 4 degrees F (2.3 degrees C) higher than it is at perihelion."

Why is the Earth warmer when we're farther from the sun?

It's because there's more land in the Northern Hemisphere and more water in the south. During July the land-crowded northern half of our planet is tilted toward the sun. Land warms faster than the water. Earth's temperature (averaged over the entire globe) is slightly higher in July because the sun is shining down on all that land, which heats up rather easily. If there were no tilt the Northern and Southern Hemispheres would both experience permanent spring, whilst the equatorial regions would have permanent summer. Go to the link and view the graphic on the earth's tilt for a pictorial explanation.

This is explained in more detail in a story, Aphelion Away, on the Science@NASA Web site.

Answer 3

That's an interesting question. Of course there would be no seasons. You would have basically the same temperatures year round. The north and the south pole would have no night. They would be in daylight 24 hours a day.

The northern areas, Alaska, Norway, Finland wouldn't have the extreme differences in day light and darkness they now have......

Answer 4

different seasons, deffinetly, and britain would probably be even more miserable, weather wise. I think my teacher mentioned something about tides being different, and the magnetic north being different, but i had a bit of a hangover that day, so i'm not too sure.

Answer 5

at the equator nothing would change. from there out in both directions north and south it would be a constant temperature gradiant getting colder as you approached the the pole. there would be no seasons.

Answer 6

Without seasons.

Answer 7

very different