Earth's Axis

Earth's axis is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, passing through the planet's center. It is tilted about 23.5 degrees relative to Earth's orbital plane around the Sun. This tilt causes the changing seasons as Earth orbits the Sun, because different parts of Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. Earth spins or rotates around this axis approximately once every 24 hours, establishing day and night. The stability and tilt of Earth's axis are fundamental to the climate patterns and the cycle of seasons experienced globally.