3. A season is a division of the year, marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight. During May, June and July, the northern hemisphere is exposed to more direct sunlight because the hemisphere faces the sun. The same is true of the southern hemisphere in November, December and January. It is the tilt of the Earth that causes the Sun to be higher in the sky during the summer months which increases the solar flux. However, due to seasonal lag, June, July and August are the hottest months in the northern hemisphere and December, January and February are the hottest months in the southern hemisphere.
4. Why do we have Seasons? Many people think that some parts of the year are hotter because we're nearer to the Sun, but the real reason is that the Earth is wonky (tilted). We have seasons because the earth is tilted (wonky) as it makes its yearly journey around the sun.
5. Important Facts The Earth revolves around the Sun. The North pole always points the same way as the Earth revolves around the Sun. The Earth's movement around the sun causes the seasons.
6. Autumn The north pole begins to move away from the Sun. The Sun rises lower in the sky so the days start getting shorter. When the Sun is at its mid-point in the sky, we reach the 'autumn equinox', around 22 September. Day and night are both 12 hours long and its the beginning of autumn. Spring The Earth continues on its path, and our north pole starts moving towards the Sun again. The Sun moves upwards in our skies and the days continue getting longer. Again, we reach a midpoint when day and night are both 12 hours long. This is called the 'vernal (or spring) equinox' and happens around 21 March.
7. Summer Winter During the summer, the sun's rays hit the Earth at a steep angle because the sun is higher in the sky. The light does not spread out very much, thus increasing the amount of energy hitting any given spot. The long daylight hours during the summer months allow the Earth plenty of time to reach warm temperatures. This is why the days are hotter in the summer months. Because the sun is higher in the sky our shadows are shorter than they are in the other three seasons. During the winter, the sun's rays hit the Earth at a shallow angle because the sun is lower in the sky. These rays are more spread out, which minimizes the amount of energy that hits any given spot. The long nights and short days prevent the Earth from warming up. This is why we have cold winters.
8. The Length of the day and night varies throughout the year Summer Months Summer is warmer and winter is colder because of the length of our days and nights. In the summer daylight lasts longer and night time is shorter. Winter MonthsIn winter the days are shorter and the nights longer. There is more time for the sun to warm us during long summer days. And short winter days have long, cold nights. The three reasons why we have Seasons Tilt Revolution - The Earth revolves around the Sun. The North Pole always POINTS in the Same Direction
9. We have four seasons: Spring - March to May Summer - June to August Autumn - September to November Winter - December to February
