Earth is at its closest point to the sun today

NASA recently spoke a little bit about something happening between Earth and the Sun today, January 2, 2021. Today marks the Earth’s perihelion, which is the closest point to the Sun in the elliptical orbit of our planet around our host star. NASA says the sun will not appear noticeably larger in the sky.

Despite the fact that he doesn’t look taller, he will be three percent taller in the sky. NASA also reminds people not to look at the sun, which is very dangerous for your eyes. The only way to see the sun is to use appropriate goggles or eye protection specifically designed to look at the sun.

NASA also took the time to talk about other interesting things happening in the skies in January. On January 20, it will be much easier to locate Uranus as it will be located right between the moon and Mars. Typically, Uranus is so far away that we cannot see it with the naked eye, and it is difficult to locate it without a computer-guided telescope. While it’s easier to spot with its location between the moon and Mars, there’s a good chance you still can’t see it without a telescope.

During the last two weeks of January, amateur astronomers will also find Mercury more easily than usual. To be able to see Mercury, amateur astronomers will need a clear view to the West. Mercury will only appear a few degrees above the horizon.

Another interesting piece of information about Earth reaching its perihelion today is that six months later, Earth will reach aphelion. Aphelion is the point where the Earth is at its furthest point from the sun. On this day, the sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface would be about 6.7% less intense than usual.