In the Northern Hemisphere, during summer, the Earth is tilted towards the Sun. This tilt causes the Sun's rays to hit the Earth more directly, leading to warmer temperatures. Here's how this phenomenon works:
1. Tilt of the Earth: The Earth is tilted on its axis by about 23.5 degrees. During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun.
2. Direct Sunlight: When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, the sunlight hits this region more directly. This means that the same amount of sunlight is spread over a smaller area, leading to more concentrated heat.
3. Sun's Apparent Size: Although the Sun's actual size doesn't change, its apparent size in the sky may seem smaller during summer. This is due to atmospheric conditions like temperature inversions that can make the Sun appear smaller than at other times of the year.
4. Hottest Part of the Year: The combination of the Earth's tilt and the more direct sunlight during summer results in higher temperatures, making it the hottest part of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
In conclusion, during summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun appears smaller than at other times of the year because of the Earth's tilt, which causes more direct sunlight to reach the region, leading to warmer temperatures.
