The sun's distance from Earth may shock you

On January 4, 2025, the Earth reached perihelion, marking the closest distance to the sun at 91,403,034 miles. This event occurs annually as the Earth orbits the sun, with perihelion falling each January. In contrast, aphelion, the farthest point from the sun, is expected later this year on July 3. During perihelion, the sun appears marginally larger from Earth, yet this visual change is barely noticeable to observers. Importantly, this proximity to the sun does not directly influence seasonal weather patterns, particularly in the northern hemisphere, which experiences winter during this time. The core reasoning for the seasons relates to the axial tilt of the Earth, which determines the angle at which sunlight reaches different regions of the planet. As the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun, it results in shorter daylight hours and weaker sunshine, characteristics typical of winter weather. Seasonal impacts occur regardless of the Earth’s distance from the sun, emphasizing the dominant role of axial tilt when considering climatic conditions.