Earth at its closest point to the sun on Saturday: Details of the 2026 perihelion phenomenon
Astronomical and scientific circles are anticipating a significant annual event next Saturday, January 3, 2026, when Earth reaches its perihelion, its closest point to the Sun in its annual orbit. This phenomenon will occur at 8:00 PM Mecca time (5:00 PM GMT), coinciding with the peak of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is the phenomenon of apogee?
Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, explained that the Earth's orbit around the sun is not perfectly circular as some might imagine, but rather elliptical. This geometric shape of the orbit results in a variation in the distance between the Earth and the sun throughout the year. On Saturday, the distance between them will be approximately 147,099,587 kilometers, which is about five million kilometers less than the distance at aphelion (the farthest point from the sun), which will occur on July 6th, when the Earth will be at its farthest point from the sun, reaching a distance of approximately 152,081,196 kilometers.
Does distance affect temperatures?
A common misconception is that Earth's proximity to the sun means higher temperatures, but scientific reality proves otherwise for inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere. Earth is closest to the sun in January (the height of winter) and farthest in July (the height of summer). The true reason for the changing seasons is the tilt of Earth's axis at an angle of 23.5 degrees, which causes the sun's rays to strike it at an angle in winter and directly overhead in summer, regardless of distance.
However, this proximity has a slight effect, as the sun's disk appears 7% larger and brighter than at apogee, a difference that may not be easily noticeable to the naked eye but is astronomically observed.
The effect of the phenomenon on the length of the seasons
According to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, a planet's speed increases as it gets closer to its host star. Therefore, Earth travels at its closest point to the Sun (perihelion) at an even greater speed, reaching 30.3 kilometers per second. This increased speed results in shorter winters in the Northern Hemisphere compared to summers, as Earth travels closer to the Sun in less time.
An opportunity for astrophotography enthusiasts
This is an ideal time for astrophotography enthusiasts to document the size of the sun's disk. Experts recommend using the same equipment (telescope, lenses, settings) to photograph the sun now, and then photographing it again next July at its apogee, to create a visual comparison that clearly shows the difference in apparent size. It is crucial to use certified solar filters to protect the eyes and sensors.
The role of satellites in monitoring
In a related context, modern technology plays a pivotal role in monitoring these phenomena. NASA's DSCOVR satellite, a joint project of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has captured stunning images of Earth from a distance of 1.5 million kilometers. Positioned at the gravitational equilibrium point known as Lagrange 1 (L1), this satellite enables it to continuously monitor solar winds and space weather, protect Earth from potential geomagnetic storms, and provide comprehensive, high-resolution images of our planet around the clock.
