SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-perihelion-january

When is Earth closest to the Sun in its yearly orbit?

In January, during Northern Hemisphere winter.

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  1. In July
  2. In June
  3. In January ✔

Why: Earth's orbit is a bit lopsided, but distance is not why we have seasons. Earth is actually closest to the Sun in January and farthest in July.

Huh, didn't know that: Earth is about 91.4 million miles from the Sun at its closest and 94.5 million at its farthest.

The dad joke
Why was Earth cold in January even when close to the Sun? It was giving it the cold shoulder.
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References

Answer: In January. Earth's orbit is a bit lopsided, but distance is not why we have seasons. Earth is actually closest to the Sun in January and farthest in July.

  1. NASA Space Place: What Causes the Seasons? spaceplace.nasa.gov/seasons/en
    aphelion (when Earth is farthest from the Sun) occurs in July, and perihelion (when we are closest) occurs in January
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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