Earth reached farthest point from Sun: Sarika Gharu explains the phenomenon in Bhopal; clears misconceptions about Aphelion and Earth's changing seasons
Bhopal: The Earth reached Aphelion—the farthest point in its annual orbit around the Sun—late Tuesday night, when the distance between the two celestial bodies increased to nearly 152 million kilometers. Despite being further away from the Sun, India and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere continue to experience summer conditions, a phenomenon that often surprises many people.
Earth's tilt, not distance, decides the seasons
National award-winning astronomy communicator Sarika Gharu explained that Earth's orbit is slightly elliptical rather than perfectly circular. As a result, the planet reaches its closest point to the Sun, known as Perihelion, in early January at a distance of about 147 million kilometers, and its farthest point, Aphelion, in early July at around 152 million kilometers.
Changing seasons are not governed by Earth's distance from the Sun
Gharu emphasized that the changing seasons are governed not by Earth's distance from the Sun but by the planet's 23.5-degree axial tilt. At present, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, receiving more direct sunlight and longer daylight hours, which keeps temperatures high across countries such as India. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia and New Zealand, is tilted away from the Sun and is experiencing winter.
She also said that although the Sun appears about 3.4 percent smaller during Aphelion, the difference is so slight that it cannot be noticed with the naked eye.