The rotation of the earth around the sun changes the seasons. Why is there winter and summer? A story about the process of changing seasons for children

Seasons as 4 equal ranges

In mid-latitudes, a formal, calendar division of the year into 4 equal periods is often used. For example, in most countries in the northern hemisphere the following start and end dates for the seasons are accepted:

• Winter - from December 1 to February 28 (for leap years - until February 29)

Mechanism of changing seasons

The main reason for the change of seasons is the tilt of the earth's axis relative to the ecliptic plane. From the spring equinox to the autumn, the northern hemisphere receives more heat than the southern hemisphere. The rest of the time, the southern hemisphere receives more light than the northern.

If there were no axis tilt, then we would not have seasons, and day and night would last the same throughout the year. The amount of solar energy reaching a certain point on the earth would be constant. Now the planet's axis is at an angle of 23.5°. In the summer (from June) in the Northern Hemisphere it turns out that northern latitudes receive more light than the Southern ones. The days are getting longer and the position of the sun is getting higher. At the same time, it is winter in the southern hemisphere. The days are shorter and the sun is lower.

Six months later, the earth moves in its orbit to the opposite side of the Sun. The slope remains the same. It's summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the days are longer and there's more light. It's winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Change of seasons in different climate zones

• In the Equatorial belt, winter and summer are rainy seasons, while spring and autumn are relatively dry.
• In the tropical zone, the cold season is the rainy season, the hot season is dry season. It is worth noting that in deserts there may not be rain even during the cold season.
• In the temperate zone in the oceanic climate zone (Western Europe, Atlantic coast North America) the bulk of precipitation occurs in autumn and the first half of winter. In cold times, snow cover is established in part of the belt. Spring and summer bring occasional rainfall along with cyclones. In the zone of temperate continental and continental climate (Eastern Europe, Southern Siberia) autumn and winter are much drier, and the wettest are summer months. In the monsoon climate zone (Far East), precipitation falls almost exclusively in the summer in the form of intense downpours; winters are dry and snowless.
• In the Arctic and Antarctic zones, the change of seasons is expressed primarily in the change of polar day and polar night. Due to the ongoing ice age, there is little seasonal variation in precipitation and temperatures remain below freezing.

Notes

Synonyms:

See what “Time of year” is in other dictionaries:

Season Dictionary of Russian synonyms. time of year season Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova. 2011… Synonym dictionary

season- Periods during the year lasting several months, with characteristic climatic features, caused by changes in intensity solar radiation or differences in moisture (in temperate zone There are four seasons - winter... Dictionary of Geography

season- season - Topics oil and gas industry Synonyms season EN season ... Technical Translator's Guide

season- ▲ season s, specific, weather time of year part of the year characterized by certain weather. stand (it's summer). ▼ winter, transitional season ↓ warm weather cm … Ideographic Dictionary of the Russian Language

season- Syn: season... Thesaurus of Russian business vocabulary

Winter, a season that has lasted in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth since winter solstice(December 21 or 22) until the vernal equinox (March 20 or 21). In everyday life the months are December, January, and February; in the Southern Hemisphere... ...

Summer is the time of year that lasts in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth from the moment of the summer solstice (June 21-22) until the autumn equinox (September 23). In everyday life, L. is called the months of nurses, July, August. It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth at this time. Great Soviet Encyclopedia

The hottest time of the year, lasting from the summer solstice to the autumn equinox, therefore, in the north. hemisphere from June 9 (21) to September 11 (23), and in the southern hemisphere from December 11 (23) to March 9 (21); thus, in the north. hemisphere L.... ... encyclopedic Dictionary F. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

- “ANOTHER TIME OF THE YEAR”, Russia, VGIK, 1992, 28 min. Experimental film. Director: Andrey Karpenko (see Andrey KARPENKO). Scriptwriter: Andrey Karpenko (see Andrey KARPENKO). Cameraman: A. Saleh... Encyclopedia of Cinema

The change of seasons on earth is a common occurrence. We are so accustomed to the fact that the seasons successively replace each other that we practically do not notice it. But it is with the onset of each new season that our entire way of life changes.

The time of year determines the choice of clothing and recreational activities. So in the summer we go on vacation and pick mushrooms and berries, in the fall we make beautiful compositions from fallen leaves and gifts of nature, in the winter we build snow forts and play ice hockey, in the spring we admire the flowering of plants and trees and enjoy the onset of warmth.

Why do the seasons change

There are only four seasons. They are also called seasons of the year. Summer differs from winter in the length of the day: summer nights shorter than winter ones. Spring and autumn are periods when summer gradually turns into winter and vice versa.

If we talk about the central part of Russia, here the seasons of the year have the following characteristics:

• Spring. Nature awakens from a long winter sleep. It's getting warm. Plants begin to actively bloom.

• Summer. At this time there is a maximum increase in air temperature. Plants reproduce and bear fruit.

• Autumn. Gradual decrease in air temperature. Plants slow down their growth, nature is preparing for the onset of winter.

• Winter. Cold, precipitation in the form of snow. Nature plunges into a long winter sleep.

Why do the seasons change? What is the point of this natural phenomenon? To clearly imagine the meaning of what is happening, you need to understand how the globe moves in outer space, then the reason for the change of seasons will become quite obvious.

There are two types of this movement:

• In one day, planet Earth completely rotates around its axis (this is the name of the conventional line passing through the north and south poles). That is why there is a change of day and night. People living on continents facing the Sun are awake, while those living on the opposite hemisphere are asleep.

• Over the course of a year, the Earth, moving around the Sun in an orbit resembling an ellipse, makes a full revolution.

There are two points in the Earth's orbit:

• Perihelion. The distance between it and the Sun is 147 million km. Closest to the Sun.

• Aphelion. It is 152 million km away from the Sun, therefore it is the farthest point.

As you can see, there is a difference between these points, which is estimated to be approximately 3%. As a result, the amount of solar energy received at two points is not the same, the difference is about 7%. But if you think that it is warmer at that point of the Earth that is closer to the Sun, you will be mistaken. January, the peak of winter cold, occurs in the Northern Hemisphere when our planet is at perihelion.

It turns out that the position of the Earth relative to the Sun does not affect the change of seasons. Much more important factor– its angle of inclination is 23.5°. When the Earth makes a yearly revolution around the Sun, both hemispheres turn to face the star in turn. Accordingly, continents directed towards the Sun receive more light, and summer begins there. On the opposite side, receiving three times less heat, winter begins.

You may ask, what would happen if this angle did not exist? In this case, it would be impossible to distinguish the concept of “seasons”. After all, the Earth would rotate vertically, all its points would be at the same distance from the star, and therefore would receive the same amount of heat.

So, the answer to the question of why winter or summer comes is simple. The change of seasons occurs because the Earth rotates around the Sun at a certain angle of inclination.

Why do the seasons change? Encyclopedia for children

Change of seasons in the earth's hemispheres

Now you understand how and why the seasons change on Earth. Let's take a closer look at how they change in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

As we approach the Sun, summer begins on the continents of the Northern Hemisphere. The days become long, and in regions that are closer to the pole, it is light even after midnight. Then, moving in orbit, the Earth finds itself on the side opposite to the Sun, and due to the influence of the angle of inclination North hemisphere moving away from sunlight and warmth, which marks the arrival of winter on its continents.

Please note that people living in countries of the equatorial and tropical zones, are not familiar with winter frosts. The fact is that the position of the equator relative to the Sun is practically not affected by the movement of the globe in its orbit. Therefore, the seasons here are not as contrasting as, for example, in Russia, and the transition from one season to another is very smooth.

The astronomical phenomenon of the transition of the Sun from one hemisphere to another is called an equinox.

Dates of equinoxes:

• Spring. Occurs from March 20 to 21. At this time, the Sun gives more heat to the Northern Hemisphere.

• Autumn. Observed from September 22 to 23. The sun is heading towards the Southern Hemisphere.

If you were wondering why, for example, in South America winter is a hot season, then, having this knowledge, you can easily find the answer.

From March to September, the Northern Hemisphere faces the Sun. It receives more light and heat than the South, and the summer season gradually begins on its continents, when the days are longer than the nights. Then the Earth, without changing its angle of inclination, changes its position, and now the continents of the Southern Hemisphere face the Sun, and are traditionally cold in our country winter months It's hot there. At this time, winter returns to the countries of the Northern Hemisphere.

So, our planet makes a full revolution around the Sun during the year, during this period of time its different parts manage to heat up or cool down, depending on the amount of heat received by them.

Climate zones of the Earth

Regions of our planet differ in their climate. Availability climatic zones associated with uneven heating of the surface of the globe by the Sun and to varying degrees distribution of precipitation on it.

Astronomical seasons do not always coincide with the climatic seasons of the continents. For example, in one region snow falls in winter, and It is raining in summer, in another there will be no precipitation at all for a long period of time, and long, lingering rains begin at a certain point in the year.

Types of climate zones of the Earth:

• Equatorial. In spring and autumn in the regions of this belt there is a dry season, with heavy rains in summer and winter.

• Tropical. Hot weather stands throughout the year, heavy rainfall is observed only during the cold rainy season.

• Moderate(includes countries Western Europe, Central part of Russia). In autumn and winter there is a lot of precipitation, snow falls on the ground, in summer and spring it is warm and relatively dry.

• Arctic and Antarctica. This climate zone is characterized by constant temperature: it always stays below zero. The change of polar night and day means a change of seasons.

Today, in one day, changing the cold season to a warm one and getting from winter to hot summer is very simple, you just need to buy a plane ticket. Many travel lovers take advantage of this feature of nature.

How do the seasons change?

07.10.2018 03:51 2716

You guys are well aware that in nature there are four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Each season has its own natural and weather changes. Let's remember which ones?

The cold and snowy winter is replaced by spring. At this time it becomes warmer, the snow begins to melt, trees and plants come to life. Some animals wake up after hibernation. Birds make their nests. Trees develop buds from which leaves grow. After spring comes summer. In summer it becomes very warm, flowers bloom everywhere, grass grows, trees rustle with their leaves. Animals and birds lead a normal life. Summer gives way to autumn. It's getting colder outside. The leaves on the trees turn yellow and then fall to the ground. The flowers no longer bloom, and their petals fall off. Birds are flying south, and some animals are preparing for hibernation.

Why do the seasons change? Let's try to figure it out.

Our planet rotates not only around its own axis, but also around the Sun. The Earth's axis is a conventional line that crosses our planet through the north and south poles. Therefore, if you have a globe at home, please note that it is located at an angle. Thus, it shows that the Earth is tilted by 23.5 degrees.

There are 2 reasons for the change of seasons. The first reason is that the orbit in which the Earth revolves around the Sun is elongated in the shape of an ellipse. Therefore, at some point in time our planet will be further from the Sun, and at some point closer. The second reason is the Earth’s axis, which has already been described earlier. Because of its inclination, our planet, moving along its orbit, alternately exposes the celestial body to the northern and southern hemispheres. When Sun rays illuminate the northern hemisphere - summer is coming there, and in the southern hemisphere at that moment it is winter and vice versa.

To make this more clear to you guys, try shining a flashlight on a globe that is tilted. Holding the flashlight level, you will see that one part of the globe (either the bottom or the top) receives more light, and the other less.

And if in a day our planet makes a complete revolution around its axis, then in a year it passes full path around the Sun in its orbit.

The reason why the seasons change on Earth is the presence of an angle of inclination relative to the axis. Because of it, the hemispheres approach the heat source one by one as the planet rotates around the Sun. On the half that receives most of the heat celestial body Summer comes, and the other during this period warms up 3 times less, which leads to the onset of winter.

Due to the tilt of the planet's rotation axis, its Northern and Southern hemispheres alternately approach the Sun. The closer to the Sun, the warmer it is. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/quibbll.com.

Why do seasons change?

In ancient times, people explained the changing seasons of the year using mythology. Only during the Renaissance was it proven that the planet has the shape of a ball and revolves around the Sun. Then the version proposed by religions was refuted.

When moving in orbit, the Earth either approaches the Sun or moves away from the celestial body. The distance between the bodies varies from 147.1 to 152.1 million km. At the same time, at the beginning of June the Earth moves away as far as possible, and at the beginning of January it approaches the star. The change of seasons of the year is not explained by the movement around the celestial body. Many adults do not know this fact.

Winter and summer alternate due to the fact that the planet warms up unevenly. Since the angle of inclination of the axis relative to the Sun is 23°, the sun's rays hit one hemisphere at a right angle, and the other - at an acute angle. During the revolution, first one area is better illuminated, then another due to a change in position relative to the Sun. One hemisphere receives most of the heat. They're attacking there summer days. At the same time, the winter cold comes in the opposite direction.

At the equator, where direct sunlight always hits, the change of seasons occurs more gently, there is no snow and freezing temperatures. The further the climate zone is from the equator, the greater the changes in weather conditions.

If there were no tilt angle, the Earth all year round warmed up with the same intensity. Seasons would not arise in such a situation. There would be permanent summer at the equator, and as we moved away from it the weather would gradually become colder.

Weather conditions would be constant even in the absence of orbital movement. In such a situation, one hemisphere would be constantly illuminated better than the other, and eternal summer would be observed there. It would always be cold on the opposite side of the planet.

You can familiarize yourself with the mechanism of changing seasons in the diagram.

Calendar seasons

The year is divided into 4 seasons:

• winter;
• autumn;
• spring;
• summer.

In winter, daylight hours are shortened and temperatures drop. The amount of precipitation may increase. Snow falls in most regions of Russia, and negative temperature. In areas with a milder climate, the cooling is not so strong; prolonged rains and downpours are possible.

Autumn and spring represent transitional states between summer and winter. Weather during these periods they gradually change. In spring it gradually gets warmer, and in autumn, on the contrary, it gets colder. The nature of precipitation is also changing. IN spring months Daylight hours become longer; in autumn their duration decreases.

Summer length daylight hours greatest. The air temperature also increases. In areas near the poles dark nights may be completely absent. It's light there all day long. Snow it's summer only in areas close to the poles. In the southern hemisphere, summers are warmer as the planet moves closer to the Sun during this period.

Each season takes 3 months. When they are completed, the seasons change.

The higher the Sun is above the horizon, the more solar heat falls on the same area of ​​the Earth's surface. Credit: artlebedev.ru/quibbll.com.

Astronomical seasons

The beginning of the astronomical seasons is considered to be the days on which the center of the Sun passes through the solstices or equinoxes. There are 4 of them, as well as calendar seasons.

Astronomical summer lasts from the summer solstice (June 21) to the autumn equinox (September 23). It takes 93 days 14 hours and 24 minutes.

Then comes autumn, lasting until December 22 - the date of the winter solstice. It lasts 89 days 18 hours and 42 minutes.

This is followed by winter, which lasts until the spring equinox (March 21). The length of this season is 89 days and 30 minutes.

Spring ends with the summer solstice. Its duration is 92 days 20 hours and 12 minutes.

Equinox periods

Equinoxes are periods when the length of daylight is approximately equal to the length of night. Every year there are 2 such days. In the spring, the equinox falls on March 20-21, and in the fall - on September 22-23.

Solstices are the days with the longest daylight and longest night.

Climatic seasons

Because of physical properties liquids and soils climatic seasons change later than astronomical ones and do not coincide with calendar ones. The duration of delays depends on the climate zone. The further from the equator, the more different summer and winter are.

At and near the equator, summer and winter are characterized by big amount precipitation, prolonged rains. In spring and autumn, humidity decreases and showers disappear. Temperatures near the equator are always high. It never snows here.

In the tropics, the winter months are rainy and the summer months are hot and dry. In deserts, it rains infrequently even in winter. The temperature here is above 0°C all year round.

Possible in the temperate zone various options for the seasons. This is explained by the proximity of the ocean, warm or cold currents. In Europe, conditions are milder than in Siberia due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream. Temperatures don't drop too low in the United States either.

In the temperate continental climate zone, most of the moisture occurs in the summer. Winter is dry and cold. In the oceanic region, rain and snow occur more often in winter and autumn, and in summer and spring the amount of precipitation decreases. Monsoon climate, characteristic of Far East, characterized by heavy rainfall in summer at almost complete absence precipitation in winter.

The Arctic and subarctic climate zones are characterized by a change in polar day and night. Most of the time, the sun's rays do not reach this area, which is why it is dark around the clock. Permafrost is observed. Even in summer the temperature does not rise high, the earth does not warm up. Seasonal fluctuations in precipitation are weak.

The change of seasons is an eternal and unchanging phenomenon of nature. The reason for this is the movement of the Earth around the Sun. The path along which it moves in outer space Earth, has the shape of an elongated circle - an ellipse. The sun is not at the center of this ellipse, but at one of its foci. Therefore, throughout the year, the distance from the Sun to the Earth changes periodically. The transition from the warm season (spring, summer) to the cold season (autumn, winter) does not occur at all because the Earth is either approaching the Sun or moving away from it. But even today many people think so!

The fact is that the Earth, in addition to revolving around the Sun, rotates around an imaginary axis (a line passing through the North and South pole). If the Earth's axis were at right angles to the Earth's orbit around the Sun, we would have no seasons and all days would be the same. But this axis is tilted relative to the Sun (by 23°27"). As a result, the Earth rotates around the Sun in an inclined position. This position remains the same all year round, and the Earth's axis is always directed to one point - the North Star. Therefore, different time Years, the Earth exposes its surface to the sun's rays in different ways. When the sun's rays fall vertically, straight, the Sun is hotter. If the rays of the Sun fall on earth's surface at an angle, they heat the earth's surface less.

The rays of the Sun fall on the Earth. The Sun always stands directly on the equator and in the tropics, so the inhabitants of these places do not know the cold. There the seasons do not change as abruptly as here, and there is never snow. At the same time, for part of the year, each of the two poles is turned towards the Sun, and the second part is hidden from it. When the Northern Hemisphere is turned toward the Sun, countries north of the equator have summer and long days, while countries to the south have winter and short days. When the direct rays of the Sun fall on the Southern Hemisphere, summer begins here, and winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere.

Winter and summer in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres The longest and most short days in the year are called the winter and summer solstices. The summer solstice occurs on June 20, 21 or 22, and the winter solstice on December 21 or 22. And all over the world, every year there are two days when day is equal to night. This happens in spring and autumn, exactly between the days of the solstice. In autumn this happens around September 23rd - this is autumn equinox, in the spring around March 21 - the vernal equinox. The annual motion of the Earth around the Sun