earth's tilt is a bit over 23 degrees, and as i understand it, that's the reason for seasons. however, throughout the yearly orbit, the earth's total distance from the sun changes ~6 million miles (~9.5 million km).
how, then, does the relatively small axial tilt manifest as what i perceive to be significant change in yearly temperature? I'm in the southern US, only 30 degrees north of the equator, and the temperature outside is occasionally freezing in the winter, but can be over 100F in the summer.
what else moderates the seasonal temperature change? if earth were as far out as mars, could a change in atmosphere still keep us at habitable temperatures? am i reasoning out of the anthropic principle, in that "well, it is what it is, and if it weren't, i wouldn't be here to question it".
how, then, does the relatively small axial tilt manifest as what i perceive to be significant change in yearly temperature? I'm in the southern US, only 30 degrees north of the equator, and the temperature outside is occasionally freezing in the winter, but can be over 100F in the summer.
what else moderates the seasonal temperature change? if earth were as far out as mars, could a change in atmosphere still keep us at habitable temperatures? am i reasoning out of the anthropic principle, in that "well, it is what it is, and if it weren't, i wouldn't be here to question it".
