Aphelion Day 2023 is an astronomical event that marks the furthest points of Earth and other planets from the Sun in their elliptical orbits, and will be observed this week. This celestial phenomenon occurs every year in July when our planet reaches its greatest distance from the Sun.
Aphelion Day is a fascinating reminder of the intricate dance between the Earth and the Sun, depicting the forces that shape the seasons and influence our climate. It provides an opportunity for scientists, astronomy enthusiasts, and curious individuals to delve deeper into the mysteries of our vast solar system.
This is a good day to learn what aphelion means: today Earth is the furthest point from the Sun in our orbit. https://t.co/AVCDrMWowa https://t.co/gSN8iPUMRK
– NASA Earth (@NASAEarth)
July 4, 2020
During aphelion, Earth is about 152 million kilometers (94.5 million miles) from the Sun, about 5 million kilometers (3 million miles) farther than perihelion, the closest approach. This means that our planet experiences a somewhat reduced amount of solar radiation compared to other times of the year.
The reason for the Earth’s elliptical orbit and the change in its distance from the Sun lies in the gravitational interaction between the two celestial bodies. Johannes Kepler, the famous German astronomer, described this phenomenon in the laws of planetary motion in the 17th century.
Kepler’s law states that “The planets move around the Sun in elliptical orbits, with the Sun at one of the ellipse’s foci”. Thus, the distance of the Earth from the Sun changes throughout the year, leading to the appearance of aphelion.
Astronomy enthusiasts and scientists often mark the occasion by holding stargazing events where people gather to observe the night sky and learn more about Earth’s place in the universe. pillar. These gatherings provide an opportunity to spark curiosity, inspire the next generation of scientists, and gain a deeper understanding of the universe in which we live.
Venus and Mars will be visible to the naked eye about an hour after sunset. Observers in the western sky will notice Venus shining brightly, like a bright white star. On the other hand, Mars will appear as a smaller red star.
Why is it still so hot?
The influence of aphelion on our planet is not limited to astronomical curiosity. The change in distance affects Earth’s climate, although not significantly. Since the amount of solar energy reaching the planet is slightly reduced during perihelion, it has less of a cooling effect. However, this effect is overshadowed by other factors, such as the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which are a major driver of our seasons.
The main factor that determines the seasons and temperature changes on Earth is not the distance from the Sun, but the tilt of the Earth’s axis. This axial tilt, approximately 23.5 degrees, causes different parts of the planet to receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
During aphelion, the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, resulting in summer in that area. The slope allows sunlight to shine more directly on the surface, resulting in increased solar radiation and higher temperatures. So even though Earth was furthest from the Sun at the time, the tilt of the axis compensated for the reduced solar energy, resulting in warm weather.
It is important to note that the influence of Earth’s elliptical orbit and aphelion on temperature is relatively small compared with the effect of axial tilt. The tilt of the axis is a major driver of the seasons, while variations in Earth’s distance from the Sun have a secondary effect.
Other factors, such as local geography, ocean currents and atmospheric conditions, also play an important role in determining the time of Aphelion’s day. For example, proximity to large bodies of water, mountain ranges, or prevailing wind patterns can affect heat distribution and local temperature changes.
Categories: Trends
Source: vcmp.edu.vn