Comments
TheVaxIsPoison t1_j2az93w wrote
(Its lean is a characteristic of its orbit.)
[deleted] t1_j2b45px wrote
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Nova_Saibrock t1_j2ay30r wrote
In fact, you can use the solstices/equinoxes to “calibrate” any given solar calendar system.
OccludedFug t1_j2al3t8 wrote
The solstice is a result of a planet's axial tilt (i.e. the planet does not spin perfectly straight "up"), and the perihilion (when the earth is closest to the sun) is not related to axial tilt but instead to where in the not-perfectly-circular orbit we are.
Lithuim t1_j2al3jf wrote
The solstices are a function of Earth’s axial tilt, occurring when you’re pointed at the minimum and maximum angle.
This is independent of the Earth’s orbital characteristics, although the northern winter solstice does coincidentally occur near the Earth’s “perihelion” - the closest approach.
Chaotic_Lemming t1_j2al6k8 wrote
The solstices are tied to the tilt of the Earth's axis. They are the points when the axis is either tilted the most towards or away from the sun. This change of the orientation of the Earth's axis has a larger effect on the seasons and climate than the change in distance of the Earth to the Sun.
[deleted] t1_j2apxpc wrote
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Mammoth-Mud-9609 t1_j2aryhw wrote
Solstice relates to the tilt of the Earth not to distance from the Sun, occasionally the distance between the Earth and the Sun is slightly less, but that is like sitting 10 metres away from a burning log fire and moving 1 millimetre closer to the fire.
[deleted] t1_j2arytm wrote
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Alric_Rahl t1_j2ax3jv wrote
The earth is closer to the sun during the northern hemisphere's winter than during its summer.
Coubsauce t1_j2akwj2 wrote
Solstice has nothing to do with the orbit of the sun or proximity to the sun.
It is about the angle of the earth relative to the sun. The earth leans a bit. For half the year, the southern hemisphere faces the sun more directly, the other half the northern hemisphere faces it more directly.
Summer/winter Solstice marks when the lean is most head on/most leaning away to the sun for each hemisphere.
This happens on the same day each year because the lean is constant.