When Is Earth Closest To The Sun ~repack~ -
The Paradox of Perihelion: Earth’s Annual Approach to the Sun
Earth’s closest approach to the sun happens in early January—right in the middle of winter for the Northern Hemisphere.
Seasons are about the angle of sunlight, not the distance. And that tilted axis of ours? It’s the real reason you need a parka in January and a swimsuit in July.
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. At certain times, the Earth is closer to the Sun, and at other times, it is farther away. This report aims to provide information on when the Earth is closest to the Sun, a phenomenon known as perihelion. when is earth closest to the sun
Perihelion Dates (2020-2030)
Effects of Perihelion on the Earth's Climate
- The Sun looks larger. At perihelion, the Sun’s disk appears about 3% larger in diameter than at aphelion. It’s not noticeable to the naked eye, but through a solar-filtered telescope, the difference is clear.
- Earth moves faster. According to Kepler’s second law of planetary motion, a planet moves faster when it’s closer to the Sun. This means Earth’s orbital speed increases by nearly 1 km/s (about 2,200 mph) at perihelion.
- Slightly longer seasons? Because Earth moves faster near perihelion, winter in the Northern Hemisphere (which coincides with perihelion) is actually the shortest season—about 89 days, compared to 93 days for summer.
