What causes seasons on Earth?

Seasons on Earth are caused by its axial tilt of about 23.4 degrees, which affects how different parts of the planet receive solar energy throughout the year. When a hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, it receives more direct sunlight, leading to warmer temperatures and summer; conversely, when it tilts away, sunlight strikes indirectly, resulting in colder temperatures and winter^[2][3][4].

A common misconception is that the distance from the Sun causes the seasons, but this is incorrect. Earth is closest to the Sun in January (perihelion) and farthest in July (aphelion), yet this distance does not significantly affect seasonal weather^[2][3][4][5].