When India (located in the Northern Hemisphere) experiences summer in June, Australia (in the Southern…
When India (located in the Northern Hemisphere) experiences summer in June, Australia (in the Southern Hemisphere) experiences winter. What is the fundamental cause of this opposing pattern?
The changing distance between Earth and Sun due to an elliptical orbit.
The tilt of Earth's rotational axis combined with its revolution around the Sun.
Ocean currents moving warm water away from the Southern Hemisphere.
The Moon blocking solar heat from reaching Australia in June.
Solution
Earth's axis is tilted at $23.5^\circ$. In June, the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun (summer), while the Southern Hemisphere tilts away (winter).