What is Aphelion?

Aphelion is the point of the Earth’s orbit that is farthest away from the Sun.

What is Aphelion?

About Aphelion: 

  • It is the point of the Earth’s orbit that is farthest away from the Sun.
  • It always happens in early July, about two weeks after the June solstice.
  • Why does it occur? Earth has an aphelion as a result of its orbit being elliptical, rather than circular.
  • At aphelion, Earth’s distance from the Sun is about 152.1 million km.
  • Six months later, in early January, Earth reaches perihelion — the point at which it is closest to the Sun. At perihelion, the distance between Earth and the Sun is roughly 147.1 million km.

Does aphelion affect temperatures on Earth?

  • We get 7% lesssunlight at aphelion compared to what we are exposed to at perihelion, leading to slightly milder summers and winters in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • But this effect is offset by Earth’s tilt on its axis — at different points along its orbit the hemispheres slant either toward or away from the Sun.

Q1: What is perihelion?

The term “perihelion” refers to the point in the orbit of a planet or other astronomical body, at which it is closest to the sun. The word comes from Greek and literally means around (peri) the sun (helios).

Source: What is Aphelion?

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