When is Earth the closest to the Sun?

Answer 1

Short Answer:

Each year, the Earth is closest to the Sun around January 2 through January 4 and it is furthest from the Sun sometime near the period July 4 through July 6. (See data below.)

It is winter in the northern hemisphere when the Earth is closest to the Sun and summer when it is furthest.

Earth has a nearly circular orbit. The closest distance is about 147 million km (91 million miles) from the Sun. When Earth is furthest it is 152 million km (94.5 million miles) from the Sun.

Longer Answer:

The point in a planet's orbit which is closest to the Sun is called the perihelion.

The point in a planet's orbit which is furthest from the Sun is called the aphelion.

Earth Perihelion (closest): 147,098,291 kilometers or 91,402,640 miles

Earth Aphelion (farthest): 152,098,233 kilometers or 94,509,460 miles

In 2013 Perihelion is January 2, and Aphelion July 5.

In 2014 Perihelion is January 4, and Aphelion July 4.

In 2015 Perihelion is January 4, and Aphelion July 6.

In 2016 Perihelion is January 2, and Aphelion July 4.

Answer 2

Earth is closest to the Sun during a point in its orbit called perihelion, which occurs around early January of each year. This is when the Earth is about 91 million miles (147 million kilometers) away from the Sun.

Answer 3

January