Fluffy Facts home

Why is it summer? It's not the distance

· 26 seconds

Cover of the Short “Why is it summer?” Play

The video plays from YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com). Nothing is loaded from YouTube until you press play.

Many people think summer happens because Earth is closer to the Sun. But Earth is actually closest to the Sun in January, when it's winter in the north. Summer comes from Earth's tilted axis (about 23.4 degrees): around June the north leans toward the Sun, so sunlight hits it more directly. Around December it leans away, and the north gets winter.

Watch it on

Transcript

  1. Sef Summer means we're closer to the Sun. Obviously!
  2. Tiggy Not quite! Earth is closest to the Sun in January.
  3. Sef In January? But that's winter!
  4. Tiggy Up north, yes! Summer comes from Earth's tilt.
  5. Tiggy In June, the north leans toward the Sun, so sunlight hits it more directly.
  6. Tiggy In December, it leans away. Winter!
  7. Sef So I don't need to get closer. I need to lean!

Sources

  1. NASA Space Place: What Causes the Seasons? spaceplace.nasa.gov
  2. NOAA NESDIS: Why Does Earth Have Seasons? nesdis.noaa.gov
  3. NASA Science: Facts About Earth science.nasa.gov

Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected] and we’ll check it.

← All Shorts