Picture taken in South America’s Atacama Desert (Figure 1)
The Earth rotates about an imaginary line that passes through the north and south poles of the planet.
Think of the Earth as a spinning top, that is tipped to one side, at an angle of 23.45 degrees. The tilt of the Earth and the Earth’s orbit work together to create the seasons.
The axis of rotation and the North Star (Polaris). The Earth’s tilt on its axis leads to one hemisphere facing the Sun more than the other hemisphere and gives rise to seasons.
As the Earth travels around the Sun, it remains tipped in the same direction toward the North Star. When the northern half (Northern Hemisphere) of the Earth is pointing towards the Sun (summer), the southern half (Southern Hemisphere) is tilted away from it (winter).
The summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere happens on December 21st or 22nd. This is the day that the tilt of the Earth’s axis, maximally points toward the Sun in the Southern Hemisphere.
Notice the rays from the Sun striking the Tropic of Capricorn more directly in the Southern Hemisphere summer?? Also, notice the southern hemisphere tilting towards the Sun, leaving the Northern Hemisphere in winter. (Figure 2)
The winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere happens on June 21st or 22nd. This is the day the Earth has maximally tilted away from the Sun in the Southern Hemisphere.
Notice how the Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun in the northern half, which leaves the southern hemisphere in winter? (figure 3)
There is no true equivalent. Sigma Octantis, based on position, could be considered the “South Pole Star,” however, unlike Polaris (North Star) it’s too dim to be used as a consistent celestial reference point.
Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in La Patagonia (southern hemisphere). Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, snowboarding, reading, taster of craft beers, researcher, & star-gazer.
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