How does the Earth move around the Sun?
At the end of the day, my 6-year-old daughter asked me about:
Why in the summer is the day bright until 10:00 pm and in the winter it gets dark very early?
Well, the answer to that question moved me, because I am passionate about this type of question, for me I travel when I study or read about this topic. In this way I created this article because I believe that many other children must have already questioned about it. So to answer this question we need to understand another one: How does the Earth move around the Sun?
Well, come on, we're embarking on an exciting space journey to better understand these magical moves!
How does the Earth move around the Sun?
the fun spin
rotation movement
Let's start with the rotation movement. Imagine that you are on an amazing carousel in the park. The carousel goes round and round, making you feel giddy and smiling. Likewise, the Earth revolves around an imaginary axis, like a large top.
This rotational movement is what makes the Sun look like it is rising above the horizon in the morning and setting at night. When the half of the Earth you are on is facing the Sun, it is daytime. As the Earth continues to rotate, its part becomes dark, and that's when we have night.
The Earth's rotation takes about 24 hours to complete a complete rotation. That's why we have a 24-hour day. And no matter where you are on Earth, everyone gets to experience a day and night thanks to this fun spin motion!
How does the Earth move around the Sun?
The Great Ride
Translation Movement
Now, let's talk about translation motion. Imagine that you are taking a thrilling ride on a big Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel moves around a center, and it takes some time to make a complete turn. The Earth also does a great tour around the Sun!
The Earth's revolution is like a year-long tour around the Sun. It takes about 365 days for the Earth to make this incredible journey. That's why we have a year with 365 days (and an extra day every four years, called a leap year).
As Earth makes this tour, its position relative to the Sun changes. This is what causes the different seasons! When a part of the Earth is closer to the Sun, it receives more light and heat, which results in summer. When that part is further away, we have winter. And the seasons of spring and autumn happen when Earth is in intermediate positions.
How does the Earth move around the Sun?
The Cosmic Ballet
How Rotation and Translation Work Together
Rotational motion and translational motion work together to create our amazing world. For example, imagine that you are playing with a globe. As you rotate the globe around its axis (like rotation), you also take a long walk around the room (like translation). This is how Earth experiences the passage of time and the different seasons.
Rotation makes day and night dance, while translation makes the seasons rotate like an incredible choreography. This all happens because of the fascinating motions of the Earth and the warm glow of our dear Sun.
So the next time you look at the sky and if you wonder why the Sun moves across the sky or why we have different seasons, remember the cosmic ballet of the Earth around the Sun. In short, rotation and translation are the magic steps that make our world so special and full of adventures!
Finally, I hope you enjoyed this space trip full of fun information. Keep looking at the stars and asking questions, because the universe is full of exciting secrets waiting to be discovered by you young space explorers!
