January 1, 2026
On January 3, 2026, at 17:15 UTC (12:15 p.m. EST or 9:15 a.m. PST), Earth's orbit will be at our closest point to the Sun for the year.
Discover how Earth’s orbit and the Sun’s position throughout the year shape the changing seasons. From the closest approach at perihelion to the farthest point at aphelion, and the key turning points at the equinoxes and solstices, this category delves into the celestial mechanics that govern our planet’s seasonal rhythms.
December 20, 2025
Mark your calendars: The December Solstice arrives on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 15:03 UTC (10:03 am EST | 7:03 am PST).
September 21, 2025
Mark your calendars: The September Equinox arrives on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 18:19 UTC (2:19 pm EDT | 11:19 am PDT).
September 8, 2025
[Alex on EARTHSKY.ORG] This pattern in nature – auroras increasing twice a year – is one of the earliest patterns ever to be observed and recorded by scientists.
July 1, 2025
On July 3, 2024 @ 19:54 UTC, 3:54 pm EST • 12:54 pm PST. At that time the distance from Earth's center to the Sun's center will be 94,502,939 miles (152,088,848 km).
June 20, 2025
The June Solstice is coming! Friday, June 20, 2025 at 10:42 pm EDT • 9:42 pm CDT • 8:42 pm MDT • 7:42 pm PDT • Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 02:42 UTC
March 1, 2025
Occurs on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 9:01 UTC • 5:01 a.m. EDT • 2:01 a.m. PDT
December 31, 2024
On January 4, 2025, at 13:28 UTC (8:28 a.m. EST or 5:28 a.m. PST), Earth's orbit will be at our closest point to the Sun for the year.
December 19, 2024
The start of winter (northern hemisphere) and summer (southern hemisphere) occurs on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 09:21 UTC (4:21 a.m. EST).
September 22, 2024
The Equinox occurs on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 12:43 UTC • 8:43 a.m. EDT • 5:43 a.m. PDT.
June 23, 2024
On July 5, 2024 @ 05:06 UTC, 1:06 am EST (July 4, 2024 @ 10:06 pm PST) the distance from Earth's center to the Sun's center will be 94,510,539 miles (152,099,969 km).
June 14, 2024
The June Solstice is coming! Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 20:50 UTC • 4:50 pm EDT • 3:50 pm CDT • 2:50 pm MDT • 1:50 pm PDT