Movement of the Earth Around the Sun

	In Winter, the Northern Hemisphere points away from the Sun. It spends more time in darkness (has longer nights) and the sun's rays are not as concentrated.
	In Spring and Fall, the days are nearly equal in length for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
	In Summer, the Northern Hemisphere spends more time pointed toward the Sun, and the sun's rays are more concentrated and warmer.
	Throughout the seasons, Earth is almost the same distance from the Sun: 93 million miles. It is closest to the Sun on about January 3rd (the middle of our winter!) and farthest from the Sun on about July 3.

Don't be confused by the perspective of these drawings: the Earth is really going around in a nearly perfect circle, and it is MUCH smaller than the Sun. The drawings above look at the Earth from the side, and the drawing below looks down on the North Pole.