January 3, 2026: Earth reaches perihelion as daylight slowly increases across the mid-northern latitudes. Learn how Earth’s orbit, astronomical units, and eccentricity affect seasons and sunlight.
Tag: perihelion
2025, April 16-17: Dual Aphelions
April 16-17, 2025: Within 24 hours, Mercury and Mars pass aphelion, the closest points to the sun, dual aphelions.
2025, March 5: Evening Planet Display, Mercury at Perihelion
March 5, 2025: The moon is near Jupiter in the evening planet display. Mercury is at perihelion.
2024, February 16: A February Evening Moon-Pleiades Conjunction
February 16, 2024: After sunset, the slightly gibbous moon is next to the Pleiades star cluster. This February evening moon-Pleiades conjunction preludes other groupings.
2024, January 2: Earth is at Perihelion
January 2, 2024: Earth is at perihelion today – the point on the orbital path closest to the sun.
2023, January 4: Earth at Perihelion, Gored Moon
January 4, 2023: Earth is at perihelion today and closest to the sun. The evening moon is caught between the Bull’s Horns. Four planets shine brightly after sundown.
2022, January 4: Earth at Perihelion
January 4, 2022: Earth is at perihelion today – it’s closest point to the sun. Mars is a morning planet, while the evening planet pack – Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter – and the crescent moon are in the southwest after sundown.
2021, July 5: Earth at Aphelion
July 5, 2021: Our planet Earth reaches its farthest point in its yearly trek around the sun. Our seasons are not related to Earth’s distance from the sun. Coincidentally, the moon is at its farthest point from Earth today.