You might expect that the Earth would be closest to the Sun during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere, when the weather is warmest. However, the Earth's orbit is not synchronized with the seasons. The reason the Earth is closest to the Sun in January is that the Earth's orbit is elliptical, and its shape is influenced by the gravitational pull of the other planets in the solar system.

The Earth is closest to the sun during . This point in Earth's orbit is called perihelion , and it typically occurs in early January (around January 3–4).

The Earth is closest to the sun in . This point in Earth’s orbit is known as perihelion Cosmic Proximity Review: January's "Hidden" Heat

"That sounds like a metaphor for my love life," Maya joked.

While it doesn’t flip the seasons, being closer to the sun does have measurable effects:

If you’ve ever wondered during which month the Earth is closest to the Sun, the answer is . The Science of the "Perihelion"

Using Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion. Kepler proved that planetary orbits are ellipses (ovals), not perfect circles. Because the orbit is an ellipse, there must be a point of closest approach (perihelion) and a point of farthest distance (aphelion). Astronomers calculate this using radar measurements and Newtonian physics.

January: When Earth Makes Its Closest Approach to the Sun Contrary to what the freezing temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere might suggest, Earth is actually closest to the Sun during the month of . This annual astronomical event is known as perihelion . Understanding Perihelion