On July 5, 2024, Earth reached its farthest point from the Sun in its annual orbit, a phenomenon known as aphelion. Despite this event, many parts of the world are experiencing summer heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures. So why is it hotter when we're farther from the Sun? Let's explore this celestial mystery.
First, let us clarify that Earth's distance from the Sun does not significantly impact our seasons or temperature variations. Instead, it is our planet's axial tilt of approximately 23.44 degrees that determines the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives throughout the year.
During aphelion, Earth is about 91.5 million miles (147 million kilometers) away from the Sun, which is only about 3% closer than during perihelion when we are closest to the Sun. However, this slight difference in distance does have an effect on how much solar energy reaches our planet.
The Earth's orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle but rather an ellipse, meaning that its shape resembles an oval. This elliptical orbit causes Earth to be closer and farther from the Sun at different points throughout the year. The tilt of Earth's axis also plays a role in our seasons, as each hemisphere experiences more or less sunlight depending on its position relative to the Sun.
During aphelion, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in longer days and higher sun angles in the sky. This increased sunlight exposure contributes to warmer temperatures and summer conditions. Conversely, during perihelion when Earth is closer to the Sun but tilted away from it, Southern Hemisphere regions experience more intense sunlight and warmer temperatures.
In summary, while Earth reaches its farthest point from the Sun during aphelion, this event does not directly cause summer heatwaves or record-breaking temperatures. Instead, it is the tilt of Earth's axis that determines the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives and ultimately influences our seasons and temperature variations.
Sources:
- NASA - Aphelion and Perihelion
- TimeandDate - Earth's Distance to the Sun
