and the Earth reaches its closest approach on 4 January, during perihelion. At aphelion, the Earth is as far as 151 million kilometres from the Sun, about 4.8 million kilometres further than at ...

The difference between perihelion, when Earth is closest to the Sun, and aphelion, when Earth is farthest from the Sun, is only about 3 percent, or roughly 3 million miles (4.8 million kilometers).

This proximity contrasts with Aphelion, the point in Earth's orbit where it is farthest from the Sun, which happens around July 4 each year. The science behind Perihelion lies in the shape of ...

An illustration of the aphelion and perihelion phenomenon. [Encyclopædia Britannica] As a result, Earth is sometimes closer, and sometimes far away from the sun, with the closest point being ...

On January 4, 2025, Earth will reach perihelion—its closest point to the Sun for the year—a perfect moment to reconnect with the warmth and light that sustain us, even in the depth of winter.