The point in a planet's or comet's orbit where it is closest to the Sun. Earth reaches perihelion in early January, when it receives slightly more solar energy than average.
From Greek 'peri' (near) and 'helios' (sun), coined by Johannes Kepler to describe the closest approach point in elliptical orbits. The term was created alongside 'aphelion' as Kepler formulated his laws of planetary motion.
Earth is actually closest to the Sun in January, during Northern Hemisphere winter! This means the Southern Hemisphere gets about 7% more solar energy during its summer than the north does, making southern summers slightly more intense.
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