Earth’s Tilted AxisIf we’re closer to the sun now, why aren’t we all basking in tropical weather? The answer lies not in our distance from the sun but in the tilt of the Earth’s axis. During January, the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun, leading to colder temperatures and shorter days

The Earth’s tilt, or obliquity, is the reason why it’s cold even though Earth is closest to the sun in January: 

• Earth’s tiltThe Earth’s axis is tilted, and in January, the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun. This tilt causes colder temperatures and shorter days. 
• Effect of tilt on seasonsIf the Earth’s axis weren’t tilted, there would be no seasons. The tilt’s angle changes over time, and when it increases, winters become colder and summers become warmer. 

The Earth’s closest approach to the sun is called perihelion, which occurs between January 2 and 4. In 2025, perihelion will happen on January 4 at 8:28 AM EST.

Meanwhile, the beaches of Sydney and the streets of Buenos Aires bask in the summer heat. The southern hemisphere tilts toward the sun, enjoying long days and intense summer heat

What Is Perihelion?

On Saturday, our planet at perihelion will be just 0.98333 astronomical units (about 147 million kilometers or 91 million miles) from the sun. That’s roughly five million kilometers (three million miles) closer than during aphelion, its farthest point, on July 3, 2025, when Earth will be 94.5 million miles/152 million kilometers from the sun.

Not just Earth gets a perihelion and an aphelion each year. All planets orbit stars in an ellipse. That was discovered in the 17th century by German mathematician Johannes Kepler, who developed his first law of planetary motion.

Earth’s Elliptical Orbit

Earth’s elliptical orbit causes slight variations in solar energy, with about 7% more sunlight reaching Earth during perihelion than aphelion. So, is Earth hotter in January than in July? That’s logical, but false. The geography of the Southern Hemisphere cancels out the variations in Earth’s distance from the sun. Despite it getting more radiation from the sun in January than the Northern Hemisphere gets in July, most of the Southern Hemisphere is oceans. There’s a lot less landmass, which negates the impact of perihelion.

What About ‘Solar Maximum?’

At solar maximum, the sun’s most active phase of its 11-year cycle, produces more light, energy and solar radiation. It’s the strongest peak for 23 years, and displays of the Northern Lights are raging.

According to NOAA, the total energy received on Earth from sunlight — the Total Solar Irradiance, as measured from satellites — increases by 0.1% during solar maximum. But that’s too small to majorly impact the Earth’s climate.

Solar Maximum
Solar maximum is the period of greatest solar activity during the Sun’s approximately 11-year solar cycle. During this time, the Sun’s magnetic field becomes increasingly complex, leading to a surge in various phenomena, including:

• Sunspots: These are dark patches on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity.
• Solar flares: These are powerful eruptions of energy and particles from the Sun’s surface.
• Coronal mass ejections (CMEs): These are massive expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona.

Effects of Solar Maximum on Earth:
While solar maximum can be a beautiful spectacle, like the enhanced auroras it causes, it can also have significant impacts on Earth:

• Geomagnetic storms: These storms can disrupt satellite communications, GPS navigation, and power grids.
• Radiation hazards: Increased solar activity can pose risks to astronauts and spacecraft.
• Radio blackouts: Solar flares can interfere with radio communications.
  The Current Solar Cycle:
  We are currently in Solar Cycle 25, which began in December 2019. Scientists predict that the next solar maximum will occur in 2025, although the exact timing and intensity can vary.
  Monitoring Solar Activity:
  Space agencies like NASA and NOAA constantly monitor the Sun’s activity to predict and mitigate the potential impacts of solar maximum. This includes using spacecraft like the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
  By understanding and monitoring solar maximum, we can better prepare for its potential effects and ensure the safety of our technological infrastructure and astronauts in space.

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