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Astronomy

The Astronomical Causes of the Seasons and Eclipses

Quick fact

Seasons are caused by Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt, not by our distance from the Sun; in fact, we're closest to the Sun in January. Eclipses are rare because the Moon's orbit is tilted 5 degrees to Earth's orbital plane, so the Sun, Moon, and Earth rarely line up perfectly.

Why this is interesting

Ever wondered why it's hot in summer and cold in winter? And why don't we get a solar eclipse every new moon?