Defining up and down in space?

Question

In space, there is no up or down. So, why do people say that Earth is tilted on an axis?

I would think that being tilted on an axis would mean that the Earth is not lined up perpendicularly with the "bottom" of space. But how can there be such a definition if there is no up or down?

The sun is just a sphere. How do we say that the Earth is tilted in relation to the sun?

Answer 1

The earth is said to be tiled on its axis because it's axis of rotation is not perpendicular to its plane of revolution around the sun. The plane in which the earth moves around the sun defines the earth reletive spatial orientation and thus makes it possilble to define an up and down.

Answer 2

its simple there is no up or down but the earth is spinning a certain way while making its revolution around the sun but the earth is spinning in a slanted way (ithink 26 1/2 degrees) on its x axis. This tilt while comparing the sun and earth gives us our seasons. I am 13 so i might be wrong i dont think i am but
i think i may have explained it a bit confusingly.

Answer 3

Everything that is stated to be up or down or tilted or to the left or right - must be in relation to another object or objects.
The earth, for instance, is tilted - relative to the sun.

Added in response to your second question:

Good point - In relation to the earth's orbit around the sun, the rotation of the earth itself is not tangent to this revolution, hence, it's rotation is tilted relative to this imaginary plane of revolution. If it were not, we would not have the different seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Answer 4

This is in comparison to the sun's rays and how they hit the earth. Using purely human terminology used for earth to explain space is difficult, but it gets across the general idea.

Answer 5

i think its because if you were to go straight out into space from the middle of earth.. and turn around and look at it.. if you look at our N/S poles, and the equator they wouldnt line up with your x and y axes.. iono if that makes sense?