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Today Earth Is Closest to a ‘Solar Maximum’ Sun. So Why Is It So Cold?
As we approach perihelion, the closest point in its orbit around the sun, it may seem counterintuitive that temperatures are plummeting instead of soaring. Perihelion occurs when our planet reaches its shortest distance from the sun, and this year, we’re at an astonishing 0.98333 astronomical units – roughly five million kilometers or 91 million miles – closer to the star than in July’s aphelion, when Earth will be a staggering 94.5 million miles/152 million kilometers away.
At first glance, it may appear as though the increased proximity to our life-giver should result in warmer temperatures. However, the truth lies not in the distance from the sun but rather in the tilt of the Earth’s axis.
As we near perihelion, it’s essential to recognize that the planet’s tilted axis plays a more significant role than previously thought. During January, the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun, leading to shorter days and colder temperatures. In contrast, the southern hemisphere is experiencing long days and scorching heat.
The slight variation in solar energy caused by Earth’s elliptical orbit has a negligible impact on the climate. As NASA reports, this variation amounts to merely 7% more sunlight reaching our planet during perihelion compared to aphelion. The geographical distribution of the Southern Hemisphere, predominantly composed of oceans, effectively cancels out any potential increase in temperature.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to dispel a common misconception regarding solar maximum and its effects on Earth’s climate. Contrary to popular belief, this intense phase in the sun’s 11-year cycle does not significantly alter the planet’s temperature. According to NOAA, the total energy received from sunlight – Total Solar Irradiance – increases by a paltry 0.1% during solar maximum.
In conclusion, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction when exploring the relationship between perihelion and our climate. The distance between the Earth and sun has little bearing on global temperatures. Instead, we must focus on the axis of rotation as the primary driver behind seasonal changes and temperature fluctuations.
As we witness this rare phenomenon, it is crucial that we acknowledge the limitations of the solar maximum’s influence on our planet’s climate.
Source: www.forbes.com
