If you would like to explore this topic further, tell me if you want to: Calculate the
While the change in distance does not cause the seasons, it does mildly influence their intensity.
At that moment, Earth is about from the Sun, compared to the average distance of ~149.6 million km (~93 million miles). when is earth closest to the sun
While perihelion always occurs in early January, the exact date and time shift slightly from year to year. For example, it may fall on January 2nd in one year and January 4th or 5th in another. Two primary factors cause this calendar drift: 1. The Leap Year Cycle
Earth is closest to the Sun in early January each year, a point in its orbit known as perihelion The Timing of Perihelion If you would like to explore this topic
The 1.6 million-mile difference in distance is relatively small compared to the average distance of ~93 million miles, making the axial tilt the dominant factor in determining seasons, not the distance from the Sun. Key Takeaways for 2026 January 3, 2026, at 17:15 UTC.
: According to Kepler’s Second Law, planets move faster when they are closer to their star. Because Earth is at perihelion in January, it moves at its maximum orbital velocity—about 18.5 miles per second (30.3 kilometers per second). For example, it may fall on January 2nd
According to NASA, the Earth reaches around early January, specifically on: