When is the Earth farthest from the sun?

The Earth is farthest from the sun during a phenomenon called aphelion. Aphelion occurs when the Earth's orbit around the sun is at its maximum distance. To determine when the Earth is farthest from the sun, you can follow these steps:

1. Understand the concept of aphelion: Aphelion is the point in Earth's orbit where it is farthest from the sun. Conversely, perihelion is the point where Earth is closest to the sun.

2. Find the approximate date of aphelion: Aphelion occurs around July 4th each year. However, the exact date can vary slightly due to orbital dynamics and the length of the year.

3. Use online resources: Various astronomical websites, such as NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) or EarthSky, provide accurate information on celestial events. You can search for the specific year you're interested in or find a general pattern of when aphelion occurs.

4. Check an astronomical almanac: Astronomical almanacs published annually or online contain detailed information about celestial events, including dates of aphelion. They provide precise data for scientists, astronomers, and enthusiasts.

Remember that Earth's distance from the sun does not significantly affect the weather or seasons; those are primarily determined by the tilt of Earth's axis. The variation in Earth's distance from the sun during its orbit is relatively small compared to the overall size of its orbit.