Perigee is approaching on Earth; See what the consequences are

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Perihelion is an important astronomical event that occurs when the Earth is closest to the Sun in its annual orbit. Information from TecMundo.

This phenomenon is a result of the Earth’s elliptical orbit, which causes the distance between the Earth and the Sun to change throughout the year.

In 2024, perihelion occurred on January 2, when Earth was about 147.1 million kilometers from the Sun.

Aphelion, the opposite of perihelion, is the point in Earth’s orbit where the Earth is furthest from the Sun. This event occurs approximately six months after perihelion, usually around July 4.

During apogee, the Earth is about 152.1 million kilometers from the Sun, and these fluctuations in the Earth’s distance from the Sun are caused by the elliptical shape of the orbit, which is affected by the gravity of other planets in the solar system.

Perigee Effects on Earth Like other astronomical events, perihelion has many subtle effects on our planet.

Although the Earth is closer to the sun during perihelion, this does not mean that temperatures are higher during this period.

In fact, the Northern Hemisphere is in the middle of winter, while the Southern Hemisphere is in summer. The main reason for this discrepancy is the Earth’s axial tilt, which is the main factor that determines the seasons.

However, during perihelion, the Earth moves slightly faster in its orbit due to the greater gravitational force exerted by the Sun, meaning that the days are slightly shorter at this time of year compared to aphelion.

In addition, the solar radiation received by Earth at perigee is approximately 7% greater than at aphelion, which may affect long-term climate and weather patterns.

How are apogee and perigee detected? Scientists detect events such as perihelion and apogee through precise measurements of Earth’s position in its orbit.

Using telescopes and other advanced astronomical instruments, they monitor Earth’s distance from the Sun and changes in orbital velocity.

These data are key to understanding Earth’s orbital dynamics and accurately predicting these events.

Looking to the sky can provide answers. The study of celestial events such as perihelion is crucial to modern science, because it helps to better understand the interactions between the Earth and the Sun.

These interactions have a direct impact on many aspects of life on Earth, including climate, seasonal cycles, and even farming conditions.

Understanding these astronomical phenomena allows us not only to deepen our knowledge of the universe, but also to improve our ability to predict and adapt to natural changes on our planet.