2006-12-05 05:34:32 · 9 answers · asked by Meaghan S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Actually, it depends, with respect to what?
If you mean with respect to the plane of the solar system, the Earth is tilted about 23.5 degrees, which causes the seasons.
2006-12-05 05:36:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Earth Inclination
2016-11-17 01:14:48 · answer #2 · answered by ries 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inclination is a relative term. You need to have a base coordinate system in which to compare the Earth's equatorial plane to. The Earth's inclination with respect to the ecliptic (the plane on which it revolves around the Sun) is about 23.5 degrees, but fluctuates anywhere between 18 and 27 degrees.
We use the Earth's orbital inclination to the Sun as a comparitive plane for all other planetary orbits. That's why we say, in the Earth's ecliptic (again the orbital plane) the inclination is zero. It is our reference point. One can also use the equatorial plane of the Sun and measure inclination off of that.
Inclination is completely dependent upon the reference frame.
2006-12-05 05:50:30 · answer #3 · answered by AresIV 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm inclined to think the only real reason is because we live on earth and therefore have an earth-centric view. We use the Earths' orbital plane as the index reference by which we measure the orbital inclination of all other celestial bodies in our solar system. Mostly, it's just more conventient that way.
2006-12-05 05:38:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The angle between the plane of the earth's orbit and itself has to be zero degrees.
In the solar system, the inclination of the orbit of a planet is defined as the angle between the plane of the orbit of the planet and the ecliptic —which is the plane containing Earth's orbital path. It could be measured with respect to another plane, such as the Sun's equator or even Jupiter's orbital plane, but the ecliptic is more practical for Earth-bound observers.
For planets and other rotating celestial bodies, the angle of the axis of rotation with respect to the normal to plane of the orbit is sometimes also called inclination, but is better referred to as the axial tilt or obliquity.
2006-12-05 05:38:06 · answer #5 · answered by DanE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is by definition. We had to pick something as the reference against which everything else would be measured, and since we live on Earth, we picked Earth's orbital plane as that reference.
2006-12-05 05:45:30 · answer #6 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cuz people are supposed to live onit even if they dont know why;'
like its not just a big hunka not burnin matter
2006-12-05 05:39:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not zero. It is approx 26 degrees.
2006-12-05 05:35:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually it's 23.5°
2006-12-05 05:37:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋