Aphelian

/əˈfɪliən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or occurring near aphelion, the point in an orbiting object's path when it is farthest from the Sun.

Etymology

From Greek 'apo-' (away from) and 'helios' (sun). Coined by astronomers in the 17th century as the opposite of 'perihelion' (closest point to the Sun).

Kelly Says

Earth is about 3 million miles farther from the Sun in January than in July—yet January is cold in the Northern Hemisphere because the tilt matters more than the distance, which confused astronomers for centuries!

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