2007-02-06 02:26:18 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
I think the answers you have so far are correct. Here is a source to go with it.
2007-02-06 02:35:11 · answer #1 · answered by thijspieters 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth orbits around the sun once per year in a basically circular orbit. The earth also rotates around it's own axis every 24 hours. However, the axis of rotation of the earth is not perpendicular to the orbital plane of the earth, instead it is tilted some. Kind of like how the axis of a rotating top can be tilted to the plane of a floor.
Due to the tilt of the earth's rotational axis, at certain points of the annual orbit around the sun the top of the earth is tilted towards the sun enough so that the sun shines over the north pole (top of rotational axis) and on to what is normally the dark side of the earth for that time of day. So at the very top of the earth, near the north pole, some parts of the earth's surface face the sun just enough to keep it daylight for months at a time.
Think of it like this. If you were on a merry-go-round and the center was the sun and your head is the earth. If you look towards the center of the ride, your face is in daylight and your hair (back) is in night. If you rotate and look away from the center, now your face is night and back is day. Now, while looking at the center, lean half way forward to tilt your "axis" towards the sun. Now the top of your head (the north pole) is facing the center of the ride (the sun) no matter how your rotate your body.
2007-02-06 10:40:11 · answer #2 · answered by D V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the earth is round. It also is tilted on its axis. As it orbits around the sun during the year, different parts are closer to the sun. The equator is always closest to the sun. The upper part of earth, where Alaska is, tilts toward the sun for longer periods of time during certain times of the year. Did I get it right?
2007-02-06 10:32:06 · answer #3 · answered by papaz71 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are probably referring to the north of Alaska, which is inside the Arctic Circle.
Because of the "tilt" of the earth in reference to the rays of the sun falling upon it, in most parts of the world daylight time will be longer in summer, and shorter in summer. This gets more extreme, the farther you are from the equator, and is most extreme at the poles--where you can indeed have months of daylight/months of darkness.
2007-02-06 10:34:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you stand on the north pole you will have 6 months of continuous sunshine.
2007-02-06 10:29:53 · answer #5 · answered by jimmymae2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the earth is tilted?
2007-02-06 10:29:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋