What is the Perihelion?
Perihelion refers to the point in an object’s orbit around the Sun where it is closest to the Sun. Perihelion, combination of the Greek words “peri” (close) and “helios” (sun), happens once in a year, ordinarily around January 3. Earth is approximately 3% closer to the Sun than usual on this day, at a distance of 147 million kilometres. It is the opposite of aphelion, which is the farthest point in the orbit from the Sun.
Unlike a perfect circle, Earth’s path around the Sun resembles an elongated oval, an ellipse. This means our distance from the Sun constantly changes throughout the year. Perihelion Day is the annual astronomical event when Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun in its elliptical orbit.
Is the Perihelion a celestial event?
The cosmos, with its cosmic ballet, never ceases to enchant us. One such dance, often overlooked, is the waltz between Earth and the Sun during a celestial event called perihelion. This is not just an astronomical occurrence; it’s a captivating spectacle that unveils the intricate beauty of our solar system.
In the vast canvas of space, Earth and the Sun engage in a cosmic tango. Perihelion marks the moment when our planet swoops in closest to the fiery heart of our solar system. Imagine the gravitational forces at play, pulling Earth into an intimate embrace with the Sun. It’s during this celestial cuddle that we witness a profound impact on our planet’s orbit and climate.
As we draw near to the Sun, the intensity of sunlight on Earth increases. This change in proximity plays a pivotal role in shaping our seasons and climate patterns. The intricate dance of sunlight during perihelion paints a masterpiece of warmth and energy on the terrestrial canvas, showcasing the Sun’s influence in the most elegant manner.
Does closer to earth mean rise in temperature?
Obviously, one would expect a spike in temperature due to the proximity to the sun . However, This event does not in any way result in the Northern Hemisphere’s hottest months, despite being closer to the Sun at Perihelion. Instead, the seasons are set in motion by the axial tilt of Earth, not by how far the planet is from the sun.
When Perihelion occurs in the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, this region of the globe is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in cooler temperatures despite a slight increase in solar radiation.
In 2024, perihelion occurred at 7:38 p.m. ET on Jan. 2 (0038 GMT on Jan. 3) and at that time, Earth was 91,404,095 miles (147,100,632 kilometers) away from the sun. Earth’s perihelion takes place in early January. The exact date shifts because the calendar year doesn’t perfectly match Earth’s orbit.
So, Keep a watch for the next one…
Also Check our article on YUVIKA: ISRO’s YOUNG SCIENTIST PROGRAM
” YUVIKA, which stands for “YUva VIgyani KAryakram.” is a special Young Scientist Program organised by ISRO
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- Images from Earthsky.org and NASA
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