Earth is about to reach its farthest point from the sun

INA - SOURCES 

On July 6, our planet will be at its farthest point from the sun this year. It's an annual occasion called aphelion.

If it seems counterintuitive for our planet to be at its farthest from the sun while you endure the summer heat, consider how Earth orbits the sun and how our planet rotates. 

Astronomers refer to the average Earth-sun distance as an astronomical unit (AU), which is approximately 93 million miles (150 million kilometers), as defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). However, Earth's slightly elliptical orbit around the sun means that each year, there is one day when Earth is closest to the sun (perihelion) and one day when it's farthest from the sun (aphelion). In 2023, perihelion occurred on Jan. 4, when Earth was 0.98 AU from the sun. On July 6, at aphelion, Earth will be 1.01 AU from the sun, according to astronomer Fred Espenak. 

In July, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, receiving the full glare of our star in summer. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, and days are shorter and colder there.