Aphelion (& perihelion)

Aphelion is the point in a body's orbit around the Sun where it is farthest from the Sun; perihelion is the closest point.

Earth reaches aphelion in early July at about 152 million km and perihelion in early January at about 147 million km.

The small difference has little effect on the seasons, which are driven instead by the tilt of Earth's axis.

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Related terms

Apogee — Apogee is the point in an orbit around Earth where the satellite is farthest from the planet.
Perigee — Perigee is the point in an orbit around Earth where the satellite is closest to the planet.

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