An Axis Is a Line Things Turn Around
An axis is a line about which a body rotates, or a reference line on a graph. Earth's is tilted, which gives us seasons.
An axis is a line about which a body rotates, or a fixed reference line on a graph. Earth's axis is tilted at about 23.4 degrees from vertical, and that tilt is the entire reason for the seasons — not distance from the sun, which is a common misconception. Earth is actually closest to the sun in early January, during the northern winter. The plural is *axes*, spelled identically to the plural of *axe* but pronounced AK-seez.
- A line of rotation. *Earth's axis.*
- A graph reference line. *The x-axis.*
- Axes — the plural. *Two axes.*
- Axle — the related word. *An axle.*
- Latin — *axis*, an axle. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | axis | An axis. |
| Plural | axes | Axes. |
| Adjective | axial | Axial. |
| Related | axle | An axle. |
| Latin | axis | An axle. |
- Earth rotates on its axis.Astronomy.
- Plot time on the x-axis.Graphs.
- The tilt causes the seasons.Fact.
Why the tilt causes seasons
- The axis stays pointed in the same direction all year
- In summer your hemisphere leans toward the sun
- Sunlight arrives more directly and days are longer
- Distance is not the cause — Earth is nearest the sun in January
- The two hemispheres therefore have opposite seasons
Latin *axis*, an axle or pivot, related to Greek *axon* and to English *axle*.
Do the seasons come from distance to the sun?
No. They come from the axial tilt. Earth is actually closest to the sun in early January, during northern winter.
How is the plural pronounced?
AK-seez, distinguishing it from the plural of axe, which is spelled the same but pronounced AK-siz.