While the exact date and time shift slightly every year due to the nuances of the calendar and the gravitational pull of the moon, perihelion almost always occurs . If We Are Closer, Why is it Cold?
Perihelion: Analysis of Earth’s Closest Point to the Sun
Report prepared for general scientific accuracy. All distances and dates based on standard astronomical models. earth closest point sun month
Contrary to common misconception, Earth is not closest to the Sun during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer (June). Instead, Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun—known as perihelion —every year in early January , typically between January 2nd and January 5th.
That point is called , and it occurs during a month that surprises many people in the Northern Hemisphere: January . What is Perihelion? While the exact date and time shift slightly
Note: Slight annual variation due to gravitational perturbations from Jupiter and other planets.
Even though the tilt of the axis dominates our weather, being at the "closest point" does have measurable effects: All distances and dates based on standard astronomical
The most common misconception about the seasons is that they are caused by our distance from the sun. If that were the case, the entire planet would experience summer in January.
According to Kepler’s Second Law of Planetary Motion, planets move faster when they are closer to the sun. Earth travels about 2,000 mph faster in early January than it does in July. This is why winter in the Northern Hemisphere is about five days shorter than summer.
| Event | Month | Distance | Hemisphere Impact | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | (Closest) | January | ~91.4 million miles | Northern Hemisphere Winter / Southern Hemisphere Summer | | Aphelion (Farthest) | July | ~94.5 million miles | Northern Hemisphere Summer / Southern Hemisphere Winter |