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2026 Perihelion: Earth to Shift Seasons in 1,000 Years

12/26/2025

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Perihelion will occur on January 3, 2026, bringing Earth about 2.5 million kilometers closer to the Sun than at aphelion.
The seasons are determined by Earth's axial tilt, not by distance from the Sun.
Perihelion currently coincides with winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but this is a coincidence.
In 1,000 years, Northern Hemisphere summers will be about six hours longer than today.

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Story summary

Perihelion will occur on January 3, 2026, bringing Earth about 2.5 million kilometers closer to the Sun than at aphelion.
The seasons are determined by Earth's axial tilt, not by distance from the Sun.
Perihelion currently coincides with winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but this is a coincidence.
In 1,000 years, Northern Hemisphere summers will be about six hours longer than today.