Here's why:
* Earth's Tilt: Our planet is tilted on its axis at approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt means that different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of direct sunlight throughout the year.
* Summer in the Northern Hemisphere: During summer, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, receiving more direct sunlight and experiencing longer days.
* Winter in the Northern Hemisphere: During winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, receiving less direct sunlight and experiencing shorter days.
* Opposite Seasons: Because of the tilt, when the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer, the Southern Hemisphere experiences winter, and vice versa.
While Earth's elliptical orbit does have a slight influence on the length of seasons, the tilt is the dominant factor.