Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Happy Perihelion Day!

Today's the day we are closest to the sun.

It's the warmest day of the year.

Read about it on Bad Astronomy [Approaching the Sun].

3 comments:

  1. It's the warmest day of the year.

    Well, yes. So far.

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  2. Hi- thanks for the link, but I have to say it's not the warmest day of the year! Or at least, that particular day might be the warmest, but if it is, it has nothing to do with it being perihelion. I have links on the original page with a more detailed description.

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  3. You mentioned that the amount of heat the Earth receives depends to some extent on the distance from the sun. Since we are closer to the sun today that on any other day we should, all other things being equal, get more heat today than on any other day.

    You said in your article that we get 6% more heat today than at the end of June. I know full well that there are other factors contributing to the air temperature, including the heat released from the earth and the oceans. My comment was meant as an attempt at humor. I've added a smilie to make sure others know this.

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