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Question
What would our seasons be like if earth were tipped 35 degrees instesd of 23.5 degrees? what would they be like if earth's axis were perpendicular to its orbit?
Sorry, but my computer locked twice and wouldn't let me copy and paste the answer, then the 'All experts' preview field locked. Thus, I am afraid this response will be much shorter than the original.
In the 35 degree tilt, the main difference is that the tropics would greatly expand - now extending from 35 N to 35 S latitude. In addition, the northern and southern temperate zones would have much more equalized temps. - less drastic changes.
At the perpendicular condition, seasons would effectively not occur, since they depend on the Earth's tilt. We would expect probably more equalized temperature distributions because the Sun is now maintaining position above the equator. Of course, this means the tropical region is now almost non-existent - probably confined to only +/- 10 deg of the equator.
Hope this helps, and sorry it is much shorter than I intended, but don't have the time to redo it.
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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