axis tilt
Orbital inclination angle
Axis tilt is the angle at which a planet's rotational axis leans relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
Earth's axis tilt of about 23.5 degrees causes the seasons—when the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun, it experiences summer while the Southern Hemisphere has winter.
The axis tilt of Uranus is so extreme the planet essentially rolls on its side.
- obliquityAngular deviation from perpendicular
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- wobbleUnsteady side-to-side motion
- spinning topRotating toy on point
- seasonsYear's four divisions
summer solstice · winter solstice · solstice · equinox · midnight sun · precession · orbital · rotation · spin · slant · angle · polar · arctic · polar ice · celestial · tropics · latitude · ice age