I have never understood this. shouldnt it be warmer? Why does this happen ?
2007-11-03 08:13:07 · 5 answers · asked by sshhmmee2000 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Because Austrailia got first choice
2007-11-03 12:33:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would be warmer if it were not for the fact that the Earth's axis is tilted. The 22 1/2 degree tilt means that in winter a given sector of solar radiation falls on a larger area of the Earth's surface and visa versa in Summer. Less infrared radiation per unit area means less heat transferred and lower temps. And although we are closer to the Sun in Winter, the Earth's orbit is really very close to a perfect circle, so the seasonal differences in distance to the Sun are minimal. The tilt is the main factor.
2007-11-03 15:18:11 · answer #2 · answered by squeezie_1999 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the tilt of the earth, even though the earth is closer physically to the sun, it's upperhalf is leaning away from the sun's rays (light/energy) and that is what helps heat up our planet. The rays hit the sun at an angle which helps deflect more of the rays and hence, the temperature drop. On the opposite spectrum, the bottom half of the planet is leaning towards the sun so that's why it's summer for them. Simple, huh?
Peace
2007-11-03 15:18:11 · answer #3 · answered by Eh Dee 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The tilt of the earth's axis (with respect to the plane of revolution about the sun, also called the ecliptic) is far more important than the minor change in earth's distance to the sun -- which is less than 4%.
2007-11-03 15:23:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because earth is tilted on its axis and then the suns rays reflect off of it during this time
2007-11-03 15:17:06 · answer #5 · answered by Chongor 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋