Because the Earth’s orbit is not a perfect circle but rather an ellipse (a slightly oval shape), the distance between the Earth and the Sun fluctuates throughout the year. At perihelion, the Earth is approximately away from the Sun. Contrast this with aphelion —the point where Earth is farthest from the Sun—which occurs in early July and puts us roughly 152.1 million kilometers away.
Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. During January, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. This means solar rays hit the north at a shallow angle, spreading the energy over a larger area and providing less concentrated heat. Additionally, the days are shorter, providing less time for the atmosphere to warm up.
A countdown clock synced to Earth’s orbital speed, ticking slower as perihelion peaks. when earth is closest to the sun
While the change in distance isn't the primary driver of the seasons, it does have measurable effects on our planet’s movement and climate: Orbital Speed
💡 While we are 3% closer to the sun in January, this distance is not what causes our seasons. Why Distance Doesn't Mean Heat Because the Earth’s orbit is not a perfect
The next Perihelion will occur on January 3rd, 2024, at 05:00 UTC.
In fact, the elliptical nature of our orbit actually moderates the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Because we are closer to the Sun during the northern winter, the season is slightly milder than it would be if our orbit were perfectly circular. Earth is tilted at an angle of 23
Details on how experience their closest approach.
If you'd like to dive deeper into how this affects specific regions, I can provide: Comparison of summer intensity. The exact date and time of the next perihelion.