Light day: duration by months. When does daylight hours decrease? Daylight hours change every day

Changes in the length of daylight hours in different seasons are explained by the rotation of the Earth around its axis. If the Earth did not rotate, the day and night cycles would be very different. Although, it is likely that they would have been completely absent. Shortening or increasing daylight hours depends on the time of year and where you are on Earth. In addition, daytime is affected by the tilt of the earth's axis and its path around the sun.

Rotation duration

A day lasting 24 hours is the time it takes for the Earth to complete a complete revolution on its own axis, which is why the Sun appears in the same place in the sky the next day. However, do not forget that the Earth continues to move around the Sun, and this phenomenon has a huge impact on the length of daylight hours.

The actual time of one rotation of the Earth is somewhat shorter than we used to think: about 23 hours and 56 minutes. Astronomers discovered this by recording the time a star appeared at the same spot in the sky the next day, a phenomenon called a sidereal day.

Longer and shorter days

Although a solar day is 24 hours long, not every day has 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Nights are longer in winter than in summer. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the imaginary axis of the Earth is not at a right angle: it tilts at an angle of 23.5 degrees. Actually, since our planet revolves around the Sun throughout the year, the northern half of the Earth leans towards the Sun in the summer, causing long daylight hours and short nights. In winter, this changes: our planet moves away from the Sun, and the night time becomes longer. In spring and autumn, the Earth is neither tilted towards the Sun, nor away from it, but somewhere in between, so day and night are the same in these seasons. Here's how you can explain why the length of daylight hours increases in spring: our planet turns towards the sun!

Our number of daylight hours depends on our latitude and the fact that the position of the Earth is in relation to the Sun. The axis of rotation of our planet is tilted from the orbital plane and is always located in one direction - towards the polar star. As a result, the position of the earth's axis in relation to the Sun is constantly changing throughout the year.

Actually, it is this factor that affects the propagation of sunlight over the surface of the Earth at any given latitude.

Changing the angle results in a change in the amount of solar energy that reaches certain areas of the planet. This causes a seasonal change in the intensity of sunlight reaching the surface and affects the length of daylight hours.

The change in intensity occurs because the angle at which the rays from the Sun travel and hit the Earth changes as the seasons change.

Let's prove it in practice

If you shine a flashlight on the ceiling, the area of ​​the illuminated area will change depending on whether you direct the light at a right angle or not. In the same way, the energy of the Sun spreads over different geographical areas when it reaches the surface of the Earth. It is more concentrated in our summer months when the sun is higher in the sky.

Between the summer and winter solstices, the number of daylight hours decreases, and the rate of decrease is greater the higher the latitude. The less hours of sunshine, the colder the nights. That is why the length of daylight hours in spring increases: the planet gradually turns towards the Sun, absorbing more and more solar energy on one of its sides.

Since, parallel to the rotation around the Sun, the Earth also continues to rotate around its own axis, then in 24 hours it makes one complete revolution. Interestingly, the length of the day changes with time. So, about 650 million years ago, a day lasted about 22 hours instead of our usual 24!

Solstice

The solstice is a phenomenon when, at a certain position of the Earth's orbit, the longest and shortest days of the year are celebrated. The winter solstice, which takes place in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the shortest day, after which daylight hours begin to slowly increase. The summer solstice in the same hemisphere falls on the longest daylight hours, after which it begins to become shorter. The solstice is also named after the month in which it occurs.

It is also important to understand that the length of daylight hours on the day of the solstice depends on the hemisphere in which you are located. So, in the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the longest day of the year. While in the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the longest night.

Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset. Depending on where in its orbit the Earth is located, revolving around the Sun, the length of daylight hours also changes. The longest day of the day is June 21, on this day its duration is 16 hours. The shortest day, which lasts only 8 hours, falls on December 21 or 22, depending on whether the year is a leap year. In autumn, on September 21 and March 21, nature celebrates the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes, when the length of daylight is equal to the length of night - the time from sunset to sunrise.

The annual cycle depends on the length of daylight hours, to which all life on planet Earth is subject. At the same time, as the length of daylight hours changes, one season changes another: spring is followed by summer, autumn, winter and again. This dependence is especially evident in the example of plants. In spring, as the length of daylight hours increases, sap flow begins in them, in summer you can observe their flowering - wilting, and in winter - suspended animation, a dream similar to death. But, perhaps, not in such an explicit form, but the duration of daylight hours also affects a person.

The effect of daylight hours on humans

Man, as part of the planet's biosphere, is also sensitive to how long daylight hours last, despite the fact that his life regime is subject to the daily working rhythm. Nevertheless, medical studies have confirmed that in winter the metabolic rate in the human body decreases, resulting in increased drowsiness and the appearance of excess weight.

The lack of sufficient natural light also affects the psycho-emotional state. In winter, as well as in early spring, many complain of depression, bad mood, headaches, insomnia and irritability. Violation of functions provokes malfunctions in the functioning of other organs and systems. In the body, the synthesis of natural vitamin D decreases, which entails a decrease in the protective properties of the immune system, so the total number of diseases and exacerbations of chronic pathological processes is the highest at this time of the year. Doctors advise at the end of winter - beginning of spring to get out into nature at least on weekends, spend more time in the fresh air during the day, this will help to cope with a bad mood and improve overall well-being.

The benefits and necessity of sunlight for the human body is not in doubt. Any of us knows that without it existence is impossible. In winter, we all experience a more or less severe deficiency of it, which negatively affects our well-being and undermines the already unstable immunity.

What happens to daylight

With the onset of the cold season, daylight hours, the duration of which is rapidly decreasing, are increasingly giving way to rights. The nights are getting longer and longer, and the days, on the contrary, are getting shorter. After the winter equinox period, the situation begins to change in the opposite direction, which most of us look forward to. Many people want to accurately navigate the length of daylight hours at the present time and in the near future.

As you know, the number of light hours per day begins to increase after the end of the period of the so-called winter solstice. At its peak, daylight hours are recorded annually, the duration of which is the shortest. From a scientific point of view, the explanation is that the sun is at this time at the most distant point in the orbit of our planet. This is influenced by the elliptical (that is, elongated) shape of the orbit.

In the northern hemisphere, it happens in December and falls on the 21st-22nd. A slight shift in this date depends on the dynamics of the Moon and shifts in leap years. At the same time, the southern hemisphere experiences the reverse period of the summer solstice.

Light day: duration, timing

A few days before and after the date of each solstice, the daylight does not change its position. Only two or three days after the end of the darkest day, the light gap begins to gradually increase. Moreover, at first this process is practically invisible, since the addition occurs only for a few minutes a day. In the future, it begins to brighten faster, this is explained by an increase in the speed of solar rotation.

In fact, the increase in the length of daylight hours in the northern hemisphere of the Earth begins no earlier than December 24-25, and it occurs until the very date of the summer solstice. This day alternately falls on one of three: from 20 to 22 June. The increase in daylight hours has a noticeable positive effect on people's health.

According to astronomers, the winter solstice is the moment when the sun reaches its lowest angular height above the horizon. After it, for a few, it can begin its sunrise even a little later (for several minutes). An increase in the duration of daylight hours is observed in the evenings and occurs due to an increasingly late sunset.

Why does it happen

This effect is also explained by an increase in the speed of the Earth. You can verify this by looking at the table, which reflects the sunrise and sunset. As astronomers say, the day is added in the evening, but unevenly on both sides. The graph of daylight hours gives a visual representation of the dynamics of this process.

Every day the sunset shifts by a few minutes. Accurate data is easy to follow on the relevant tables and calendars. As scientists explain, this effect is caused by a combination of daily and annual movements of the sun across the sky, which is a little faster in winter than in summer. In turn, this is due to the fact that, turning at a constant speed around its own axis, the Earth in winter is located closer to the Sun and moves in orbit around it a little faster.

The elliptical orbit along which our planet moves has a pronounced eccentricity. This term refers to the amount of elongation of the ellipse. The point of this eccentricity closest to the Sun is called perihelion, and the most distant point is called aphelion.

It is argued that a body moving in an elliptical orbit is characterized by maximum speed at those points that are as close as possible to the center. That is why the movement of the sun across the sky in winter is slightly faster than in summer.

How does the Earth's orbital motion affect climate?

According to astronomers, the Earth passes the point of perhelion approximately on January 3, and aphelion - on July 3. It is possible to change these dates by 1-2 days, which is associated with the additional influence of the movement of the moon.

The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit also affects the climate. During the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, our planet is closer to the Sun, while in the summer it is further away. This factor makes the difference between the climatic seasons of our northern hemisphere a little less noticeable.

At the same time, this difference is more noticeable in the Southern Hemisphere. As established by scientists, one revolution of the overhelion point occurs in about 200,000 years. That is, in about 100,000 years, the situation will change to the exact opposite. Well, let's wait and see!

Bring on the sunshine!

If we return to current problems, the most important thing for us is the fact that the emotional, mental and physical state of the inhabitants of the Earth is improving in direct proportion to the increase in the length of daylight hours. Even a slight (for several minutes) lengthening of the day immediately after the winter solstice has a serious moral effect on people tired of the dark winter evenings.

From a medical point of view, the positive effect of sunlight on the body is due to an increase in the production of the hormone serotonin, which controls the emotions of happiness and joy. Unfortunately, in the dark, it is produced extremely poorly. That is why an increase in the duration of the light interval by influencing the emotional sphere leads to a general improvement in well-being and strengthening of human immunity.

A significant role in the sensations of each of us is played by daily internal biorhythms, which are energetically tied to the alternation of day and night that has continued since the creation of the world. Scientists are sure that our nervous system can adequately work and cope with external overloads only if it regularly receives a well-defined dose of sunlight.

When the light isn't enough

If there is not enough sunlight, the consequences can be the saddest: from regular nervous breakdowns to serious mental disorders. With an acute lack of light, a real depressive state can develop. And seasonal affective disorders, which are expressed in depression, bad mood, a general decrease in the emotional background, are observed all the time.

In addition, modern citizens are subject to another misfortune. Daylight hours, the duration of which is too short for modern urban life, require adjustment. We are talking about a huge, often excessive amount of artificial lighting, which is received by almost any resident of the metropolis. Our body, unadapted to such an amount of artificial light, is able to get confused in time and fall into a state of desynchronosis. This leads not only to a weakening of the nervous system, but also to the exacerbation of any existing chronic diseases.

What is day length

Let us now consider the concept of the length of the day, which is relevant for each of us in the first days after the winter solstice. This term refers to the period of time that lasts from sunrise to sunset, that is, the time during which our luminary is visible above the horizon.

This value is directly dependent on the solar declination and the geographical latitude of the point where it needs to be determined. At the equator, the length of the day does not change and is exactly 12 hours. This figure is borderline. For the northern hemisphere in spring and summer, the day lasts longer than 12 hours, in winter and autumn - less.

Autumn and spring equinox

The days when the length of the night coincides with the length of the day are called the days of the spring equinox, or autumn. This happens on September 23, respectively. It is clear that the longitude of the day reaches its highest figure at the time of the summer solstice, and the lowest - on the winter day.

Beyond the polar circles of each of the hemispheres, the longitude of the day goes off scale in 24 hours. We are talking about the well-known concept of the polar day. At the poles, it has a duration of as much as half a year.

The length of the day at any point in the hemisphere can be determined quite accurately using special tables containing the calculation of the length of daylight hours. Of course, this number changes daily. Sometimes, for a rough estimate, he uses such a concept as the average length of daylight hours by month. For clarity, consider these figures for the geographical point where the capital of our country is located.

Daylight hours in Moscow

In January daylight hours at the latitude of our capital average 7 hours 51 minutes. In February - 9 hours 38 minutes. In March, its duration reaches 11 hours 51 minutes, in April - 14 hours 11 minutes, in May - 16 hours 14 minutes.

During the three summer months: June, July and August - these figures are 17 hours 19 minutes, 16 hours 47 minutes and 14 hours 59 minutes. We see that June which corresponds to the summer solstice.

In autumn, daylight hours continue to decrease. In September and October, its duration is 12 hours 45 minutes and 10 hours 27 minutes, respectively. The last cold, dark months of the year - November and December - are famous for their record-breaking short bright days, the average day length of which does not exceed 8 hours 22 minutes and 7 hours 16 minutes, respectively.



We will immediately answer the question of how many hours and minutes the daylight hours last on June 22, 2017. For Moscow, this is 17 hours and 34 minutes. As for other regions, it is important to take into account the time of sunrise and sunset. An interesting fact is that such a number of hours and minutes of daylight hours from June 22 is maintained until June 25 inclusive. Already by July 12, daylight hours will be reduced to 17 hours 8 minutes, and will gradually decrease more and more.

As for the duration of the time of day, it is, of course, not constant. The main astronomical laws contribute here. Cosmic time differs from Earth time, but it is not so strongly subject to changes. That is, it is relative. It turns out that how long time lasts in a day during daylight hours, on our planet it is customary to divide into two intervals. This is from 7 am to 11 pm. This is the period of activity of the largest part of the world's population. And also from 18 pm to 23 pm - this is the time that is actively used after the end of the working day.

Useful article about by name and date of birth.

About daylight hours

So, 17 hours and 34 minutes is the answer to the question of how many hours and minutes the daylight hours last on June 22, 2017. But what kind of daylight hours is this, what does it depend on and how is it formed? We propose to understand in more detail.



Daylight is the period of rotation of our planet around its axis. When one part of the planet is turned towards the sun, then during this period it will be light in the countries. On average, the duration of daylight hours is only 4507 hours during the year. But in each country at different times of the year, this duration will be different. Often a day in our country, in particular, daylight hours is only 5 hours, but in summer it can reach up to 17 hours. June 22 is considered the longest day.

Interesting! In Tokyo, where nine hours are added to world time, the annual duration of daylight hours is 4175 hours, but in Beijing it is already 4377 hours, in Minsk it is already 4578 hours, as in Moscow (due to the last cancellation of the time transfer) .

Remember that our planet revolves around the sun in an elliptical, not a circular orbit. That is, the planet then approaches the sun, then moves away from it. To this must be added the ever-changing acceleration. Our planet reaches its maximum proximity to the sun somewhere on January 2-3, during this period it has its maximum acceleration. For the same reason, because of the rapid movement, less light hits the earth than usual during the year.

During this period, our planet does not have time to warm up. When the Earth rotates slowly and is far from the Sun, it receives more sunlight and, accordingly, the daylight hours also last longer.

Four sectors allocated in the ecliptic:
About degrees at the Spring Solstice.
90 degrees during the Summer Solstice.
180 degrees at the Autumn Solstice.
270 degrees at the Winter Solstice.

Interesting! In Moscow, as in other cities around the world, the length of daylight hours depends on the time of year. If we consider the average for the year, then it is 12 hours and 15 minutes.



The average length of daylight hours in the capital, if we consider it by months from the beginning of the year:
1. Eight hours and the same number of minutes.
2. Light day increases to 9 hours and 37 minutes.
3. There is a further increase in daylight hours to 12 hours and 15 minutes.
4. In April, daylight hours increase by another two hours and are already 14 hours and 32 minutes.
5. In May, this figure is 16 hours and 34 minutes.
6. In June, when the longest day of the year is observed, this is June 22, with an average of 17 hours and 54 minutes. That is, almost 18 hours, which is extremely long.
7. In July, gradually, but surely, the number of hours in the daylight hours is on the decline. While we are talking about minutes, it is 17 hours and 8 minutes.
8. In the last month of summer, daylight hours are already 14 hours and 45 minutes.
9. In September, daylight hours are reduced to 12 hours.
10. Next comes 10 hours and 26 minutes.
11. In November there is a reduction of another two hours, 8 hours and 45 minutes will be the average.
12. In December, the average is 7 hours and 49 minutes.

The benefits and necessity of sunlight for the human body is not in doubt. Any of us knows that without it existence is impossible. In winter, we all experience a more or less severe deficiency of it, which negatively affects our well-being and undermines the already unstable immunity.

What happens to daylight

With the onset of the cold season, the duration of which is rapidly decreasing, more and more giving way to rights. The nights are getting longer and longer, and the days, on the contrary, are getting shorter. After the winter equinox period, the situation begins to change in the opposite direction, which most of us look forward to. Many people want to accurately navigate the length of daylight hours at the present time and in the near future.

As you know, the number of light hours per day begins to increase at the end of the period of the so-called winter solstice. At its peak, daylight hours are recorded annually, the duration of which is the shortest. From a scientific point of view, the explanation is that the sun is at this time at the most distant point in the orbit of our planet. This is influenced by the elliptical (that is, elongated) shape of the orbit.

In the northern hemisphere, it happens in December and falls on the 21st-22nd. A small shift in this date depends on the dynamics of the Moon and shifts in the. At the same time, the southern hemisphere is experiencing the reverse period of the summer solstice.

Light day: duration, timing

A few days before and after the date of each solstice, the daylight does not change its position. Only two or three days after the end of the darkest day, the light gap begins to gradually increase. Moreover, at first this process is practically invisible, since the addition occurs only for a few minutes a day. In the future, it begins to brighten faster, this is explained by an increase in the speed of solar rotation.

In fact, the increase in the length of daylight hours in the northern hemisphere of the Earth begins no earlier than December 24-25, and it occurs until the very date of the summer solstice. This day alternately falls on one of three: from 20 to 22 June. The increase in daylight hours has a noticeable positive effect on people's health.


According to astronomers, the winter solstice is the moment when the sun reaches its lowest angular height above the horizon. After it, for several days, the sun can begin its sunrise even a little later (for several minutes). An increase in the duration of daylight hours is observed in the evenings and occurs due to an increasingly late sunset.

Why does it happen

This effect is also explained by an increase in the speed of the Earth. You can verify this by looking at the table, which reflects the sunrise and sunset. As astronomers say, the day is added in the evening, but unevenly on both sides. The graph of daylight hours gives a visual representation of the dynamics of this process.

Every day the sunset shifts by a few minutes. Accurate data is easy to follow on the relevant tables and calendars. As scientists explain, this effect is caused by a combination of daily and annual movements of the sun across the sky, which is a little faster in winter than in summer. In turn, this is due to the fact that, turning at a constant speed around its own axis, the Earth in winter is located closer to the Sun and moves in orbit around it a little faster.

The elliptical orbit along which our planet moves has a pronounced eccentricity. This term refers to the amount of elongation of the ellipse. The point of this eccentricity closest to the Sun is called perihelion, and the most distant point is called aphelion.

Kepler's laws state that a body moving in an elliptical orbit is characterized by maximum speed at those points that are as close as possible to the center. That is why the movement of the sun across the sky in winter is slightly faster than in summer.

How does the Earth's orbital motion affect climate?

According to astronomers, the Earth passes the point of perhelion approximately on January 3, and aphelion - on July 3. It is possible to change these dates by 1-2 days, which is associated with the additional influence of the movement of the moon.

The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit also affects the climate. During the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, our planet is closer to the Sun, while in the summer it is further away. This factor makes the difference between the climatic seasons of our northern hemisphere a little less noticeable.

At the same time, this difference is more noticeable in the Southern Hemisphere. As established by scientists, one revolution of the overhelion point occurs in about 200,000 years. That is, in about 100,000 years, the situation will change to the exact opposite. Well, let's wait and see!

Bring on the sunshine!

If we return to current problems, the most important thing for us is the fact that the emotional, mental and physical state of the inhabitants of the Earth is improving in direct proportion to the increase in the length of daylight hours. Even a slight (for several minutes) lengthening of the day immediately after the winter solstice has a serious moral effect on people tired of the dark winter evenings.


From a medical point of view, the positive effect of sunlight on the body is due to an increase in the production of the hormone serotonin, which controls the emotions of happiness and joy. Unfortunately, in the dark, it is produced extremely poorly. That is why an increase in the duration of the light interval by influencing the emotional sphere leads to a general improvement in well-being and strengthening of human immunity.

A significant role in the sensations of each of us is played by daily internal biorhythms, which are energetically tied to the alternation of day and night that has continued since the creation of the world. Scientists are sure that our nervous system can adequately work and cope with external overloads only if it regularly receives a well-defined dose of sunlight.

When the light isn't enough

If there is not enough sunlight, the consequences can be the saddest: from regular nervous breakdowns to serious mental disorders. With an acute lack of light, a real depressive state can develop. And seasonal nature, which are expressed in depression, bad mood, a general decrease in the emotional background, is observed all the time.

In addition, modern citizens are subject to another misfortune. Daylight hours, the duration of which is too short for modern urban life, require adjustment. We are talking about a huge, often excessive amount of artificial lighting, which is received by almost any resident of the metropolis. Our body, unadapted to such an amount of artificial light, is able to get confused in time and fall into a state of desynchronosis. This leads not only to a weakening of the nervous system, but also to an exacerbation of any existing chronic diseases.


What is day length

Let us now consider the concept of the length of the day, which is relevant for each of us in the first days after the winter solstice. This term refers to the period of time that lasts from sunrise to that is, the time during which our luminary is visible above the horizon.

This value is directly dependent on the solar declination and the geographical latitude of the point where it needs to be determined. At the equator, the length of the day does not change and is exactly 12 hours. This figure is borderline. For the northern hemisphere in spring and summer, the day lasts longer than 12 hours, in winter and autumn - less.

Autumn and spring equinox

The days when the length of the night coincides with the length of the day are called the days of the spring equinox, or autumn. This happens on March 21 and September 23 respectively. It is clear that the longitude of the day reaches its highest figure at the time of the summer solstice, and the lowest - on the winter day.

Beyond the polar circles of each of the hemispheres, the longitude of the day goes off scale in 24 hours. We are talking about the well-known concept. At the poles, it has a duration of as much as half a year.


The length of the day at any point in the hemisphere can be determined quite accurately using special tables containing the calculation of the length of daylight hours. Of course, this number changes daily. Sometimes, for a rough estimate, he uses such a concept as the average length of daylight hours by month. For clarity, consider these figures for the geographical point where the capital of our country is located.

Daylight hours in Moscow

In January daylight hours at the latitude of our capital average 7 hours 51 minutes. In February - 9 hours 38 minutes. In March, its duration reaches 11 hours 51 minutes, in April - 14 hours 11 minutes, in May - 16 hours 14 minutes.

During the three summer months: June, July and August - these figures are 17 hours 19 minutes, 16 hours 47 minutes and 14 hours 59 minutes. We can see that June days are the longest, which corresponds to the summer solstice.

In autumn, daylight hours continue to decrease. In September and October, its duration is 12 hours 45 minutes and 10 hours 27 minutes, respectively. The last cold dark days - November and December - are famous for record-breaking short bright days, the average duration of which does not exceed 8 hours 22 minutes and 7 hours 16 minutes, respectively.


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In Russian, the word "day" denotes two concepts. The first is an astronomical day lasting 24 hours, the second is the time of day, along with night, morning and evening. In the second case, the word "day" means the time from 12:00 to 16:00. But there is also a separate concept

Day", it is used most often when it comes to the biological rhythms that all life on Earth obeys.

day length

Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset. Depending on where in its orbit the Earth is located, revolving around the Sun, the length of daylight hours also changes. The longest day of the day is June 21, on this day its duration is 16 hours. The shortest day, which lasts only 8 hours, falls on December 21 or 22, depending on whether the year is a leap year. In the autumn of September 21 and in the spring of March 21, nature celebrates the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes, when the length of daylight is equal to the length of the night - the time from sunset to sunrise.

The annual cycle depends on the length of daylight hours, to which all life on planet Earth is subject. At the same time, as the length of daylight hours changes, one season changes another: spring is followed by summer, autumn, winter and again spring. This dependence is especially evident in the example of plants. In spring, as the length of daylight increases, sap flow begins in them, in summer you can observe their flowering, in autumn - withering, and in winter - suspended animation, a dream similar to death. But, perhaps, not in such an explicit form, but the duration of daylight hours also affects a person.

The effect of daylight hours on humans

Man, as part of the planet's biosphere, is also sensitive to how long daylight hours last, despite the fact that his life regime is subject to the daily working rhythm. Nevertheless, medical studies have confirmed that in winter the metabolic rate in the human body decreases, resulting in increased drowsiness and the appearance of excess weight.

The lack of sufficient natural light also affects the psycho-emotional state. In winter, as well as in early spring, many complain of depression, bad mood, headaches, insomnia and irritability. Violation of the functions of the nervous system provokes malfunctions in the functioning of other organs and systems. In the body, the synthesis of natural vitamin D decreases, which entails a decrease in the protective properties of the immune system, so the total number of diseases and exacerbations of chronic pathological processes is the highest at this time of the year. Doctors advise at the end of winter - beginning of spring to get out into nature at least on weekends, spend more time in the fresh air during the day, this will help to cope with a bad mood and improve overall well-being.

The reason why there is a change of seasons on Earth is the presence of an angle of inclination relative to the axis. Because of it, the hemispheres approach the heat source in turn during the rotation of the planet around the Sun. On the half of the celestial body that receives most of the heat, summer sets in, and the other during this period warms up 3 times weaker, which leads to the onset of winter.

Due to the tilt of the planet's axis of rotation, its Northern and Southern hemispheres alternately approach the Sun. The closer to the sun, the warmer. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/quibbll.com.

Why does the seasons change

In ancient times, people explained the change of seasons with the help of mythology. Only in the Renaissance it was proved that the planet has the shape of a ball, revolves around the Sun. Then the version proposed by religions was refuted.

When moving along the orbit, the Earth either approaches the Sun, or moves away from the heavenly body. The distance between the bodies varies from 147.1 to 152.1 million km. At the same time, in early June, the Earth moves away as much as possible, and in early January, it approaches the star. Movement around the celestial body does not explain the change of seasons. This fact is not known to many adults.

Winter and summer are replaced due to the fact that the planet warms up unevenly. Since the angle of inclination of the axis with respect to the Sun is 23 °, the sun's rays fall on one hemisphere at a right angle, and on the other - at an acute angle. During the revolution, one area is better illuminated, then another due to a change in position relative to the Sun. One hemisphere receives most of the heat. Summer days are coming. At the same time, winter colds come to the opposite.

At the equator, where direct sunlight always falls, the change of seasons is milder, there is no snow and negative temperatures there. The farther the climate zone is located from the equator, the stronger the changes in weather conditions.

If there were no tilt angle, the Earth warmed up with the same force all year round. The seasons would not have arisen in such a situation. There would be a permanent summer at the equator, and as you move away from it, the weather would gradually get colder.

Weather conditions would be constant even in the absence of movement in orbit. In such a situation, one hemisphere would be constantly illuminated better than the other, there would be eternal summer. It would always be cold on the opposite side of the planet.

You can get acquainted with the mechanism of changing seasons in the diagram.

calendar seasons

The year is divided into 4 seasons:

  • winter
  • autumn;
  • spring;
  • summer.

In winter, daylight hours are shortened and temperatures drop. Rainfall may increase. In most regions of Russia, snow falls, negative temperatures are observed. In areas with a milder climate, the cooling is not so strong, prolonged rains and showers are possible.

Autumn and spring are transitional states between summer and winter. Weather conditions during these periods gradually change. In spring it gradually warms up, and in autumn, on the contrary, it gets colder. The nature of precipitation is also changing. In the spring months, daylight hours become longer, in the autumn their duration decreases.

In summer, the length of daylight hours is greatest. The air temperature is also increasing. In areas near the poles, dark nights may be completely absent. There is light around the clock. It snows in summer only in areas close to the poles. In the southern hemisphere, summers are warmer as the planet approaches the Sun during this period.

Each season takes 3 months. When they are completed, the seasons change.

The higher the Sun is above the horizon, the more solar heat falls on the same area of ​​the Earth's surface. Credit: artlebedev.ru/quibbll.com.

Astronomical seasons

The beginning of the astronomical seasons is considered to be the days on which the center of the Sun passes through the points of the solstices or equinoxes. There are 4 of them in total, as well as calendar seasons.

Astronomical summer lasts from the summer solstice (June 21) to the autumnal equinox (September 23). It takes 93 days 14 hours and 24 minutes.

Then comes autumn, lasting until December 22 - the date of the winter solstice. It lasts 89 days 18 hours and 42 minutes.

This is followed by a winter that lasts until the spring equinox (March 21). The length of this season is 89 days and 30 minutes.

Spring ends with the summer solstice. Its duration is 92 days 20 hours and 12 minutes.

Equinox Periods

Equinoxes are called periods when the length of daylight is approximately equal to the length of night. Every year there are 2 such days. In spring, the equinox falls on March 20-21, and in autumn - on September 22-23.

The solstices are called days, which account for the longest daylight hours and light nights.

Climatic seasons

Due to the physical properties of liquid and soil, climatic seasons change later than astronomical and do not coincide with calendar ones. The duration of delays depends on the climate zone. The farther from the equator, the stronger the difference between summer and winter.

At the equator and near it, summer and winter are characterized by a large amount of precipitation, prolonged rains. In spring and autumn, humidity decreases, showers disappear. The temperature near the equator is always high. It never snows here.

In the tropics, the winter months are rainy, while the summer months are hot and dry. In the deserts, it rains infrequently even in winter. Temperatures are above 0°C all year round.

In the temperate zone, different options are possible for the seasons. This is explained by the proximity of the ocean, warm or cold currents. In Europe, conditions are milder than in Siberia due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream. The temperature does not drop too low in the United States of America either.

In the temperate continental climate zone, most of the moisture falls in the summer. Winter is dry and cold. In the oceanic - rains and snow are observed more often in winter and autumn, and in summer and spring the amount of precipitation decreases. The monsoonal climate characteristic of the Far East is characterized by heavy rains in summer and almost no precipitation in winter.

The arctic and subarctic climatic zones are characterized by a change in the polar day and night. Most of the time, the sun's rays do not fall on this area, which is why it is dark around the clock. There is permafrost. Even in summer the temperature does not rise high, the earth does not warm up. Seasonal fluctuations in precipitation are weakly expressed.