Spin & Seasons

the EARTH spins on an Axis tilted at 23.5 degrees to the Sun

It takes 1 day to complete 1 full spin

DAY - It is Day when the side of the Earth you live on is turned to face the Sun

NIGHT - It is night when the side of the Earth you live on has turned away from the Sun

HEMISPHERE

The Northern Hemisphere is everything on our planet North of the Equator

The Southern Hemisphere is everything on our planet South of the Equator

EQUATOR

The Equator is the middle of the Earth & is always the same distance from the Sun. The equator does not experience seasons. It remains about the same temperature all year round.

SUMMER & WINTER

When the Earth's North Pole is tilted towards the Sun the North is warmer because it is closer to the Sun. The North is experiencing Summer. The South is further away from the Sun & is colder. The South is experiencing Winter.

When the Earth's Soth Pole is tilted towards the Sun the South is warmer because it is closer to the Sun. The South is experiencing Summer. The North is further away from the Sun & is colder. The North is experiencing Winter.

THE MOON orbits the Earth. It takes the Moon 1 Month to orbit the Earth. As the Moon orbits the Earth its force of gravity pulls the seas with it causing the tides on Earth.

Earth's Orbit of the Sun
It takes the Earth 1 year (365 days) to orbit the Sun

The other 9 Planets in our solar system also orbit the Sun. Each planet takes a different period of time to complete 1 orbit of the Sun.

See our Educational Place Mats to learn about the Planets in our Solar System CLICK HERE TO VIEW