When Is Earth Closest To The Sun ((free)) Here

Earth is closest to the Sun every year in early January. This specific point in our planet's annual orbit is known as perihelion. Key Details for 2026

Perihelion Dates (2020-2030)

Distance: Approximately 91.4 million miles (147.1 million km). when is earth closest to the sun

This annual event is known as perihelion (from the Greek words peri, meaning "near," and helios, meaning "sun"). Earth is closest to the Sun every year in early January

When is Earth Closest to the Sun? Understanding Perihelion and its Effects on Our Planet Remember this as a fascinating conversation starter

• Northern Hemisphere winter (December–March) happens when the North Pole tilts away from the Sun, reducing solar intensity and shortening days—even though Earth is closer to the Sun.
• Southern Hemisphere summer occurs at the same time (January), and the slightly closer distance makes their summers a bit more intense than northern summers (by ~7% in solar radiation).

Remember this as a fascinating conversation starter. The next time someone shivers through a January snowstorm and complains, “I wish we were closer to the sun,” you can smile and tell them: We are. We’re as close as we get all year. It’s just the tilt of the Earth that keeps us cold.

Q: Does perihelion affect ocean tides? A: Yes, very slightly. The sun’s gravitational pull is about 3% stronger at perihelion, which can enhance solar tides, but lunar tides dominate. This is sometimes called “perihelion spring tides.”