0
I think you are referring to the Annual cycle of the seasons.
This occurs due to the orientation of the axis of the Earth's rotation with respect to the ecliptic, the plane in which the Earth (and to a reasonably similar degree) the other planets orbit the sun.
Since the axis of the Earth's rotation points almost exactly in the same direction in space throughout time, (This is an approximation though. See an article on precession for more on that), and since the axis is inclined at an angle of about 23 degrees to the normal to the ecliptic, the Earth will at diametrically opposite points in it's orbit be pointed 23 degrees towards the sun and 23 degrees away from the sun.
This has the effect of making the sun trace out a smaller path in the sky during winter. The points where it breaks the horizon when setting and rising are closer together than during summer and it doesn't reach as high in the sky. This is due to the shape of the Earth. If we lived on a rotating cylinder we would notice the intensity of the light would be lower in winter and summer than during autumn and spring, and also that the sun didn't reach as high but the day length would remain unchanged from one season to the next. Essentially the larger diameter of lower more equitorial latitudes occludes part of the suns path across the sky when the Earth's rotational axis is turned away from the sun.
Hope this helped.
Try this from wikipedia too:
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What could cause a planet to have a shorter day?
We use the word "day" to indicate the time between sunrises. On Earth, the "day" is 24 hours. Planets that rotate more rapidly have shorter days, while planets that rotate slowly have longer days.
When a star is red is its waves longer or shorter?
Longer
Why are days longer and shorter on different planets?
Rotation of planets depends on their history of being hit by other planetoids ... thus it is entirely random.
Why are summer days longer than winter days on earth?
This happens because the Earth is tilted 23.4 degrees. This tilt is the reason that days are longer in the summer and shorter in the winter. The hemisphere that's tilted closest to the Sun has the longest, brightest days because it gets more direct light from the Sun's rays.
What would happen if it took Earth longer to rotate?
Our days would be longer for a start, darkness would fall more slowly and the night would last longer. The surface temperature range would also be greater, as more time during the night would allow the surface to cool more, while longer days would cause it to heat up more. this may well impact on weather conditions. The Earth did actually spin faster many years ago, but has gradually slowed down over time thanks to the drag caused by the moon.
Does India experience longer days or shorter days?
india experiances um...........................................longer days
Are the days longer or shorter after the vernal equinox?
After the Vernal Equinox the days get shorter as winter approaches.
What happens to the length of days and nights in winter?
Days get shorter and nights get longer until the winter solstice, at which point the days become longer and the nights become shorter.
Can you make school hours longer and days shorter?
No
Why don't Arizona and Hawaii observe Daylight Saving Time?
they don't want to because they want longer days and shorter nights.or longer nights and shorter days
When the north pole leaning toward the the sun are days longer or shorter?
In the Northern Hemisphere they would be longer. In the Southern the would be shorter.
Is the days shorter and nights get longer?
In the northern hemisphere, USA and UK included, during Spring the days become longer and the nights become shorter. Conversely, in the southern hemisphere, Australia, and South Africa included , during the same period the days become shorter and the nights become longer. Depending on which side of the Equator you are on , the seasons and daylight hours are reversed. During Autumn (Fall)(northern hemisphere), the whole process is reversed in both hemispheres.
Between September 21 and December 20 the days become shorter or longer?
They become longer.
What if your period is not 28 days?
That is only an average. Your cycle can be longer or shorter.
Should school days be longer but school weeks shorter?
no
How many minutes per day after December 21 2009 does the day get longer?
That depends on your latitude. Near the equator, the days will hardly get longer or shorter; the nearer you get to the poles, the greater the difference will be.That depends on your latitude. Near the equator, the days will hardly get longer or shorter; the nearer you get to the poles, the greater the difference will be.That depends on your latitude. Near the equator, the days will hardly get longer or shorter; the nearer you get to the poles, the greater the difference will be.That depends on your latitude. Near the equator, the days will hardly get longer or shorter; the nearer you get to the poles, the greater the difference will be.
Is 720 days longer or shorter than 2 years?
shorter 365 + 365 = 730 = 720 + 10
