When Earth Is Closest To Sun [top] Online

Every year, Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun brings our planet to a point where it is closest to the Sun. This event, known as , typically occurs in early January. During perihelion, Earth is approximately 91.5 million miles (147 million kilometers) away from the Sun, which is about 3% closer than its average distance of about 93 million miles (149.6 million kilometers).

Earth is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees. During January: when earth is closest to sun

This creates a fascinating paradox for those living north of the equator: Every year, Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun

The is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in shorter days and less concentrated sunlight (winter). Earth is tilted at an angle of about 23

, not its distance from the Sun, is the primary driver of the seasons. In January, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, causing sunlight to hit at a shallower angle and for shorter periods. National Geographic +2 Upcoming Perihelion Dates Because Earth's orbit is influenced by the gravitational pull of other planets, the exact timing of perihelion varies slightly each year. Time and Date +1 Year Date Time (UTC) 2026 January 3 17:16 2027 January 3 02:33 2028 January 5 12:28 2029 January 2 18:13 Would you like to know more about how