How Does the Moon Affect Earth's Seasons?

The seasons come and go with some help from the moon.
••• Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

The moon is approximately 384,403 km from Earth and travels around Earth every 27 1/3 days beginning as the new moon and ending as a full moon. The moon affects the daily ebb and flow of the ocean tides. But that is not all the moon influences. The moon also affects the seasons and temperature though the gravitational pull on the equatorial plane, North Pole and South Pole, and the rate of Earth's spin.

Equinox

The equinox arrives twice a year and marks the days when light and dark are in equal proportion. The moon and sun are both attracted to the equatorial bulge of Earth; them trying to bring it into alignment with themselves causes Earth’s axis to rotate -- and the timing of the seasons is created. The spring equinox marks the first day of spring, and the fall equinox marks the first day of fall.

Equatorial Plane

The moon’s gravity is constantly pulling on the equatorial plane, trying to bring the equator in line with itself. This affects the location of Earth’s equator. The equator divides Earth into the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere; Southern Hemisphere seasons are opposite Northern Hemisphere seasons. The moon’s gravitational pull affects which parts of the world experience which seasons, and when.

Poles

The North Pole and South Pole are constantly moving. The poles move along Earth’s axis, and star charts must be adjusted to accommodate the shift. The moon and sun’s pull on the two poles and distance from them determines when the sun will face Earth and the temperature of Earth, creating the seasons.

Spin

Earth's spin is a constant tug-of-war between the sun and moon. Not only does this cause Earth's spin, but since the pull of the sun and moon are not equal, these elements are constantly changing the spin rate. The spin rate creates the calendar and the speed at which the temperature changes.

Related Articles

Importance of Tides
How Is the Moon Positioned When There Is a High Tide?
What Is the Shape of Earth's Orbit?
What Are the Causes of the 4 Seasons on Earth?
When is the Moon's Pull on Earth the Strongest?
The Difference Between Spring & Neap Tides
The Movement of the Sun & Moon in the Sky
Why Does the Earth Rotate?
The Effects of Revolution & Rotation on Climate & Weather
High Tides & Moon Phases
The Moon & Its Effect on Our Weather
How Does the Earth's Revolution Affect Its Seasons?
Movements of the Sun, Moon & Earth
The Similarities and Differences Between the Sun and...
What Kind of Tides Occur When the Moon & Sun Are at...
What Tide Corresponds With a Solar Eclipse?
What Are Diurnal Tides?
Explanation of the Tides and Moon
The Effects of the Moon Phases on Ocean Tides
Unique Facts About the Sun

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!