On January 3, 2026, many places in the northern hemisphere were cold and covered in snow. Would it surprise you to know that on that day, Earth was closest to the Sun in its orbit (Earth’s path around the Sun)? How is it possible to have the cold temperatures of winter when Earth is closest to the Sun?
To answer that question, first we have to look at the shape of Earth’s orbit. It’s elliptical, like the shape of an egg. That means that at one point in the orbit, Earth is closest to the Sun. This point is called perihelion. It also means that there is a point when Earth is furthest from the Sun, called aphelion.
Earth’s seasons, spring, summer, fall, and winter, happen because Earth is tilted on its axis. As Earth orbits the Sun, different parts of Earth are tilted toward or away from the Sun throughout the year.
For example, in the northern hemisphere during winter, the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. Days are shorter and there is less sunlight. So, temperatures decrease. It is summer in the southern hemisphere during this time.
During the summer, the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. Days are longer and there is more sunlight. So, temperatures increase. Even though Earth is farthest from the Sun in July. It is winter in the southern hemisphere during this time.
What Can You Do? What is the weather like in January in your area? Why?
Photo Credit: (t)Dainis Derics/iStock/Getty Images, (b)J. Marini/Shutterstock
