Earth Seasons

About this simulation

This model shows why we have seasons. The Date slider moves Earth through its orbit while the axis stays pointed at the same place in space, and the Axial tilt slider can be set from 0 to 90 degrees. Yellow patches show the same sunbeam landing at 45 degrees north and south, stretching out when the Sun is low. Readouts give the date and season, where the Sun is overhead and day length at both latitudes. Teachers can use it to correct the common idea that seasons come from distance to the Sun.

What students can explore

Drag Date to June and then December and compare Day length 45 N with Day length 45 S.
Set Axial tilt to 0 degrees and see whether the seasons disappear.
Set Axial tilt to 60 degrees and note how extreme day lengths become.
Compare the size of the yellow sunlight patches in summer and winter.
Switch on Run the year and watch the Sun overhead at readout move north and south.

Learning objectives

1Explain that seasons are caused by Earth's axial tilt, not its distance from the Sun.
2Relate sunlight angle to how concentrated the energy is.
3Compare day length in the northern and southern hemispheres through the year.
4Predict what would happen with no tilt or a larger tilt.

Questions teachers ask

Is the Earth seasons simulation free?

Yes. It is free and runs in any modern browser, including whiteboards and tablets. No account or sign-up is required.

Does distance from the Sun cause the seasons?

No. Earth is actually closest to the Sun in early January, in northern winter. Seasons come from the 23.4 degree tilt, which changes the sunlight angle and the day length.

How do I show the effect of tilt?

Drag the Axial tilt slider and compare the Day length 45 N and 45 S readouts. At 0 degrees both stay the same all year, so there would be no seasons.

Are the sizes and distances accurate?

No. Sizes and distances are not to scale, and the spin speed is decorative. The tilt, the dates and the day length calculation follow real geometry.

Embed this simulation

Drop it into your LMS, blog, or class site — free.

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Continue exploring

Preview of Seasons and Earth's Tilt Simulation

Tilt the Earth and walk it round the Sun. Watch daylight hours change at your latitude, compare the solstices and equinoxes, and set the tilt to zero to see every day become twelve hours.

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