Earth is closest to the Sun in . This point in Earth's orbit is known as perihelion . While the exact date and time shift slightly each year due to the gravitational pull of other planets, it typically occurs around January 3rd . The Science of Earth's Closest Approach
At this point, we are about 91.4 million miles (147 million km) away from the sun. Why isn't it hot in January?
Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere—tilted toward the sun during January—experiences a scorching summer. This confirms that the tilt is the dominant force behind our seasons; the variation in distance caused by our elliptical orbit is merely a background note, slightly moderating the seasonal extremes but not causing them.
The variation in distance happens because Earth's orbit is not a perfect circle, but a slightly lopsided ellipse. Astronomer Johannes Kepler first discovered this elliptical motion, which causes Earth to speed up as it approaches the Sun and slow down as it moves away. Orbital Point Distance (approx.) January 147 million km (91.4 million miles) Aphelion (Farthest) July 152 million km (94.5 million miles) Why Isn't It Hotter in January? in what month is the earth closest to the sun
What Causes the Seasons? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids
A common misconception is that proximity to the Sun causes the seasons. In reality, the distance change of roughly 5 million kilometres (3.1 million miles) is not the driving force behind seasonal weather.
The Earth reaches perihelion —its closest point to the sun—in January . Earth is closest to the Sun in
So, as you bundle up against the January chill, remember that you are standing on a planet that is, astronomically speaking, giving the sun its closest brush of the year.
It usually falls between January 2nd and January 5th .
It is a counter-intuitive reality of our cosmic calendar: the Earth is closest to the sun in , specifically during the first few days of the month. The Science of Earth's Closest Approach At this
Conversely, we reach (our farthest point) in early July , when we are about 94.5 million miles away. Southern Hemispheres?
January’s perihelion also dictates the speed of our planet. According to Kepler’s laws of planetary motion, Earth moves faster when it is closer to the sun. This is why the Northern Hemisphere's winter (and Southern Hemisphere's summer) is actually about five days shorter than the other seasons—Earth is racing through that section of its orbit.
This event is known as , a term derived from the Greek words peri (near) and helios (sun). It typically occurs between January 2nd and January 4th. During this window, Earth is roughly 91.4 million miles (147.1 million kilometers) away from our star. Conversely, we are farthest away (aphelion) in early July, drifting out to about 94.5 million miles (152.1 million kilometers).
