: Couldn't you have asked a simpler question? :) : The tilt of the earth is caused by a few things. One is gravitational pull from the sun. And two is the centrifical (bad spelling) force of the earth. Earth is not round. It is slightly egg shape. If you were to sit the earth on a table it wouls be taller than it is wide. During soltices (21-23 June and December) the earth tilts at it's maximum of 23.5 degrees'. In other words, the first day of winter and summer,maximum tilt of the earth, either south (summer) or North (Winter). Equinox's are the 1st days of Autumn and Spring this is when the earth is straight up, not tilting. The sun is on the equator. The tilting is caused by the rotation of the earth. Think of a spinning top that is a little heavy on top or bottom, it warbles a little. Earth does this too. The gravitational field of its' orbit around the sun keeps the earth from going upside down. Pretty amazing when you think of it. I wish I could answer better. There is one example of a wacky orbit and that is Neptune. It sits on it's side. Caused by a large meteor impact, so the theories go. Hope I helped.

Thank you for that most informative reply.

• Re: earth tilt - Richard_(Australia)/">Richard (Australia) - November 6, 1999 - 08:10 UTC
  • God put it there - weatherlawyer - September 9, 2001 - 10:13 UTC
  • God put it there - weatherlawyer - September 9, 2001 - 10:13 UTC