You might think that summer is warmer than winter because the earth is closer to the sun. But in fact, the earth’s orbit takes us farthest from the sun in summer, on a date called the aphelion. This year’s aphelion is today, July 4. EarthSky posted an interesting story from 2018 with a photo that compares the apparent size of the sun as seen from Earth at aphelion and perihelion, when the earth is closest to the sun. You can also read more about this year’s event and see some amazing photos of the recent auroras in the northern US and other places.
