Earth reaches aphelion on 6 July 2026 — and it's still hotter than in January

On 6 July 2026, Earth reached aphelion — the farthest point from the Sun in its orbit — receiving about 7% less solar radiation than in January. Despite this, average global temperatures are higher now than in winter. The apparent paradox is explained by Earth's axial tilt: when the Northern Hemisphere faces the Sun, summer warmth has little to do with the planet's actual distance from it.