What is the earth's axis?
As is well known, the earth rotates on its own axis. But what exactly is the earth's axis and why does it exist at all? These are legitimate questions that are not only interesting in geography lessons.
The earth rotates on its own axis. The axis passing through the Center of mass of the earth's body is also called the earth's axis or celestial axis or north-south axis.
Interesting facts about the earth's axis
- The earth's axis "quasi" exits above and below. There you can find the South Pole and the North Pole. Also the northern and southern Celestial pole is related to it. The earth revolves around itself once a day.
- Since the earth's axis tilts about 66.56 degrees from the ecliptical plane, there is on earth Seasons, because the angle of incidence of the changes during the earth's orbit around the sun Sunlight.
Due to the flattening of the earth and the action of the sun and moon forces, the earth's axis shifts long and short periods in the coordinate frame. The earth stumbles slowly over a period of 26,000 years, which is also known as the cycle of precession (Platonic year).
The north and south poles of the earth have no unchangeable coordinates, but undergo periodic movements (polar movements). These are mainly caused by changes in the internal mass of the earth. Large earthquakes can also have an impact on the earth's axis. These shifts in the axis, in turn, have an impact on the climate and the seasons.
The fact that the inclination of the earth's axis influences the seasons is probably ...
That is why the earth is round
- Actually, the earth is not really round at all. Due to the earth flattening or the centrifugal force of the rotation, it is more potato-shaped. But this rotation or It is also the gravitation of the earth that holds everything together and determines its shape.
- At the poles the earth is rather flattened and near the equator it is bulbous and swollen. This is due to the rotation of the earth around its axis. At the equator, the way to the center of the earth is about 21 kilometers further than, for example, from the North Pole or the South Pole.
- Ultimately, it has been true since Galileo Galilei at the latest and until today: The earth is spherical and moves around the sun.
Conclusion: The earth axis is the north-south axis of the earth, around which it rotates itself once a day. Your inclination is responsible for the seasons.
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