My question is very simple: Why are there seasons on planet Earth? Why do we in central Europe have four distinct seasons? It is often said that the reason for seasons is that in winter, the Sun is further from Earth than in summer. But the difference is not that big that it could account for change of seasons, IMO. What is obvious is that in winter, we get a lot less insolation, the days are much shorter than in summer. It seems simpler with regions that are near the sea, because there they are immediately affected by the sea.
No distance from the sun would not affect seasons (although it does have an effect on long term climate change)! U are right in that it is insolation. The sun is simply higher here in the summer so its going to be warmer and theres going to be more thunderstorms (generally). Spring and autumn are really just conceived because of their importance to plants which start budding and blossoming in spring and senesce in autumn. Of course there ARE some regions which Do have 4 (or even more) distinct changes in weather patterns through the year.
The put it more simply, seasons are due to the 23.5 degrees inclination of the Earth's orbital axis with respect to the ecliptic plane. During summer, the Northern hemisphere is oriented towards the sun ... allowing more direct solar radiation to warm the surface. During the winter, the N. hemisphere is oriented away from the sun ... allowing less direct solar radiation to heat the surface and thus, resulting in a cooler climate (depending where you are). As for spring and fall, on both occasions the planet recieves about the same amount of direct solar radiation but not necessarily the same temperature will result from it. That's because the orbital path is an eccentric ecilpse around the sun. This link has a usable picture to show that. http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/time/seasons.html This link explains the whole thing in greater details: http://www.astronomy.org/programs/seasons/
Haha, I don't think that is putting it more simply Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
The Singularity, Thanks for the links. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I also thought that seasons must be due to the 23.5° inclination, I just couldn't make the connections myself. And John, yes, sometimes, some things are simpler when put in a "more complex" way. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Surely thats a contraiction Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I thinnk u mean, easier to understand!
Yes, of course, easier to understand. I'm staring to like you. Hehe. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
