While the date can vary slightly (usually between January 2nd and January 5th), the most common time for Perihelion is January 3rd or 4th. In 2025, for example, Earth will reach Perihelion on January 4th.
Because , not distance. In January, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, so sunlight hits at a lower angle and days are shorter — causing colder temperatures. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere, tilted toward the sun, experiences summer. when is the earth the closest to the sun
| Feature | Perihelion (Closest) | Aphelion (Farthest) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Early January | Early July | | Distance | ~91.4 million miles | ~94.5 million miles | | Sun's Size | Appears slightly larger in the sky | Appears slightly smaller | | Solar Radiation | ~7% more intense | ~7% less intense | | Orbital Speed | Earth moves fastest (67,000+ mph) | Earth moves slowest | While the date can vary slightly (usually between
Distance to the sun changes slightly, but it’s Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt that truly drives the seasons. In January, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away
The Earth's orbit around the Sun is an elliptical path, which means that the distance between our planet and the Sun varies throughout the year. This report provides information on when the Earth is closest to the Sun.
Early July (around July 4–6) Distance: ~94.5 million miles (152.1 million km)
Earth is closest to the sun annually in early January, typically around January 3rd or 4th. This event is astronomically known as .