Note: Slight annual variation due to gravitational perturbations from Jupiter and other planets.
| Effect | Description | |--------|-------------| | | Earth receives about 6.9% more solar energy at perihelion than at aphelion. | | Orbital speed | Earth moves faster in its orbit at perihelion (Kepler’s Second Law: planets move faster when closer to the Sun). | | Seasonal length | Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is the shortest season (~89 days) because Earth moves quickly through that part of its orbit. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is the longest (~93.5 days). | | Temperature | Despite being closer to the Sun, January is cold in the Northern Hemisphere because sunlight strikes at a low angle and days are short. The Southern Hemisphere, experiencing summer, receives more direct sunlight. | earth closest point sun month
| Year | Perihelion Date & Time (UTC) | Distance (million km) | |------|------------------------------|------------------------| | 2024 | Jan 3, 00:38 | 147.1 | | 2025 | Jan 4, 13:28 | 147.1 | | 2026 | Jan 3, 17:15 | 147.1 | | 2027 | Jan 3, 23:00 | 147.1 | | 2028 | Jan 5, 12:00 | 147.1 | | | Seasonal length | Winter in the