Why Is the Earth Tilted?

Found in Space: A Science Podcast for Kids and Teens

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• Introduction to Earth's Tilt:

  • Listener's intriguing question about why Earth is tilted on its axis leads to a fascinating exploration of our planet's tilt and its significance.

• Comparing Earth's Tilt to the Solar System:

  • Understanding that Earth's tilt is in relation to its orbit around the Sun, not absolute directions in space. Most globes represent this tilt to demonstrate Earth's orientation.

• The Tilt and Seasons:

  • Delving into how Earth's tilt, not its proximity to the Sun, drives the changing seasons. Earth's slight axial tilt causes different parts of the planet to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.

• Theories on Earth's Tilt Origins:

  • Exploring theories about Earth's tilt, including the hypothesis that a colossal collision between Earth (then Proto Earth) and another planet, named Theia, was possibly responsible for the tilt.

• Tilts Across the Solar System:

  • Comparing Earth's tilt to those of other planets in the solar system, including the extreme tilts of Venus and Uranus, and how studying these planetary tilts offers insights into the history of our solar system.