Question

The axis of rotation of Earth points towards __________.
(A) the Sun
(B) the Moon
(C) the Pole star
(D) the Venus

Answer 1

Hint: Rotation and Revolution are two types of motions of the earth. The movement of the earth on its axis is Rotation while Revolution is the movement of the earth around the sun in a fixed path or orbit.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The axis of the earth (an imaginary line) makes an angle of \[66.5^\circ \] with its orbital plane. The orbital plane is the plane formed by the orbit. The earth receives light from the sun. Only half of the earth gets light from the sun at a time due to the spherical shape of the earth. The portion facing the sun experiences day while the other half experiences night. The circle of illumination is the circle that divides the day from night on the globe and it does not coincide with the axis. It takes about 24 hours for the earth to complete one rotation around its axis. The period of rotation of the earth is known as the birthday. This is the daily motion of the earth and it moves around the Sun in an elliptical orbit.
Earth’s spin axis is inclined $23.5^\circ $. This tilt of the earth is determined by the distribution of mass around the globe. The northern hemisphere makes the planet heavy with vast landmasses and glaciers.

Thus, option (C) is correct.

Note: Pole star is the brightest star in the night sky, it does not move from its position thus making it easier for navigators to locate places. It is aligned with the earths and thus it doesn’t change its position.