EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Earth’s axial tilt (also known as the obliquity of the ecliptic) is about 23.5 degrees. Due to this axial tilt, the sun shines on different latitudes at different angles throughout the year. This causes the seasons.

Detailed explanation-2: -But what caused Earth to tilt? Long, long ago, when Earth was young, it is thought that something big hit Earth and knocked it off-kilter. So instead of rotating with its axis straight up and down, it leans over a bit. By the way, that big thing that hit Earth is called Theia.

Detailed explanation-3: -With reference to the North Pole, the earth rotates from west to east direction and has its axis tilted in the east direction.

Detailed explanation-4: -With respect to the vertical plane, the Earth has an axial tilt of 23.5°. With respect to the orbital plane or the horizontal plane, the Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 66.5°.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Sun’s rotation axis is tilted by about 7.25 degrees from the axis of the Earth’s orbit so we see more of the Sun’s north pole in September of each year and more of its south pole in March. Since the Sun is a ball of gas/plasma, it does not have to rotate rigidly like the solid planets and moons do.