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You are here: Home / Science / Why is Earth’s axis tilted?

Why is Earth’s axis tilted?

May 19, 2020 by Karen Hill

No one knows for sure why the Earth’s axis is tilted, but many theorize that it was the result of a collision with a large planetoid during the last stages of Earth’s formation over 4.5 billion years ago.

The theory is that the impact with this small, rocky planet not only knocked Earth to a tilt but also tore away a chunk of Earth, forming the moon.

Time and spinning smoothed Earth’s and the moon’s surfaces back into a sphere. Or so the theory goes.

Regardless, this tilt gives Earth the seasonal variations necessary to support the variety of lifeĀ—from plants to animals.

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  • How Is the Planet Uranus's Rotation Tilted On Its Axis and What Does a Retrograde Rotation Mean?
  • What Is the Best Way To Demonstrate How the Planet Uranus Is Tilted On Its Axis With a Sphere?
  • Why Does the Earth Tilt 23 Degrees On its Axis and Do Other Planets In the Solar System Tilt?
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Filed Under: Science

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « What is the Chandler wobble and who discovered it?
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