You've got it backwards.
The earth's axis of rotation deviates 23.5 degrees from the perpendicular to
the plane of the orbit around the sun.
In winter in the northern hemisphere, the north pole is inclined 23.5 degrees *away* from the sun, and
the sun's rays hit the northern hemisphere at a sharper angle. They pass
through more atmosphere on their way to the ground too. That's why the days
are shorter and the weather cooler.
On Dec 22, the sun will be above the horizon for approx 9 hours at lat 40,
and the sun won't even rise for those living inside the northern polar circle
at lat 23.5. Inside the southern polar cirlce, the sun won't set on Dec 22.
Judy B.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: happy life skills foundation [SMTP:hapilife@efn.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 1999 4:49 PM
> To: Krumpe, Andrew
> Cc: 'hlg@pacbell.net'; wwpotter@tscnet.com
> Subject: RE: Super Bright Full Moon December 22
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> no...wrong about tilt. At winter solstice the north pole tilts
> toward the
> sun....the angle of reflection is less...hence winter
> Ken Silverman
>