Because the planet is moving faster through this leg of its journey, winter in the Northern Hemisphere (and summer in the Southern Hemisphere) is actually about five days shorter than the opposite seasons in July. 2. Solar Radiation Intensity
While the orbit is elliptical, it is very nearly a perfect circle. Astronomers measure how stretched an orbit is using a metric called eccentricity. A perfect circle has an eccentricity of 0. Earth’s orbital eccentricity is currently about 0.0167. This low number means the ellipse is highly circular, which is why the 3-million-mile difference in distance represents only about a 3% variance. Why Distance Does Not Cause the Seasons
The shifting distance between the Earth and the Sun is caused by the shape of our orbital path. Rather than traveling in a perfect circle, the Earth traces an elongated, oval-shaped trajectory known as an . during which month is the earth closest to the sun link
Despite being closer to the sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter during this time because the seasons are determined by the tilt of Earth's axis, not by its distance from the sun.
. While the exact date shifts slightly each year due to variations in Earth's orbit and the calendar, it typically occurs between January 2 and January 5 . For example, in 2026, perihelion occurs on January 3. Key Facts About Perihelion Because the planet is moving faster through this
The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in shorter days and less direct solar energy, regardless of being physically closer to the Sun.
The Earth is closest to the Sun during the month of . Astronomers measure how stretched an orbit is using
This is about 5 million kilometers closer than when we are at our furthest point (Aphelion) in early July. If We’re Closer, Why Is It Cold?
To illustrate the difference, it's helpful to look at the specific dates and distances for perihelion and aphelion in recent years. The following table shows the data for 2025 and 2026, demonstrating the regular pattern of these events.