Distance does not cause seasons; the 23.5-degree tilt of Earth's axis does.
The word "perihelion" comes from Greek, with peri meaning "near" and helios meaning "Sun." It describes the point in a planet's orbit where it is closest to its star.
where:
This is the most common point of confusion. If we are 3 million miles closer to our heat source in January, why are we shivering in Chicago or London? The answer lies in the . when is earth closest to the sun
While it doesn't drive the seasons, perihelion does have fascinating and measurable effects on our planet.
In July, when we are at aphelion (farthest away), the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, causing warmer temperatures.
This is the million-dollar question. If we’re closer to the Sun in January, why is the Northern Hemisphere freezing? Distance does not cause seasons; the 23
because perihelion occurs during their summer (adding extra heat) and aphelion during their winter (adding extra chill).
The reason we have a perihelion at all is that Earth's orbit is not a perfect circle. For centuries, it was believed that planets orbited in perfect circles. However, the brilliant German astronomer discovered otherwise. Using precise observational data, he demonstrated in the early 1600s that the planets, including Earth, move in elliptical (oval-shaped) orbits with the Sun at one focus .
It is a common misconception that Earth is closest to the Sun during the hot summer months. However, the reality of our planet's orbit is far more counterintuitive. In fact, . If we are 3 million miles closer to
Sunlight hits the Northern Hemisphere at a lower angle, spreading the light out and delivering less heat per square meter.
Earth reaches its closest point to the sun, or perihelion, in early January each year. In 2026, this moment will occur on . At that precise moment, Earth will be approximately 91.4 million miles (147.1 million kilometers) from the sun.
North Pole (Tilted Away = Winter) \ O <--- Earth in January (Perihelion) / South Pole (Tilted Toward = Summer) ------------------ 91.4 Million Miles ------------------ [SUN] Use code with caution.