Latest news with #aphelion
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Most interesting aspect of July Buck Moon and when it peaks
( — July's full Buck Moon is on the 10th, and this could be considered the most interesting full moon of the year. said that a full moon occurs when the moon and the sun are positioned opposite of each other, making it appear fully lit from the Earth's perspective. Video Above: Seasonal conditions to end with triple-digits forecasted for this week July's Buck Moon will peak at 4:36 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, but will not be visible on the West Coast until the moon rises above the southern horizon at sunset Pacific Standard Time. According to the Buck Moon, also known as the Thunder Moon, is the farthest full moon from the sun in 2025. This is due to the Earth reaching the point in its orbit where it is the most distant from the sun, also known as aphelion, a week prior. Since the full moon is close to the summer solstice, it is expected to appear low in the sky after sunset, with the sun at its highest point during the day. More details on the full moons and aphelion can be found on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
'Moon Illusion' will appear in the night sky TOMORROW... here's how to see the visual phenomenon
Skywatchers are in for a treat when the summer's first full moon creates an illusion in the night sky. Although the moon reaches its full phase on Thursday at 4:36pm ET, it will appear most dramatic as it rises above the horizon after sunset, glowing with a striking orange hue and seeming larger than usual. This is known as the 'Moon Illusion,' a rare visual phenomenon that plays a trick on the mind. As the moon hovers near the horizon, the human brain compares it to nearby objects like trees, buildings, or mountains, making it appear far bigger than when it's high overhead in the empty sky. To experience the moon illusion for yourself, start by looking at the full moon, normally when it's near the horizon. Then, try viewing it through a cardboard tube to block out surrounding objects, which helps isolate the moon and reduces the illusion. You can also look at the moon upside down by bending over and peering through your legs, or, if you have access to one, leaning backward while seated on a swing. NASA says the moon typically looks orange or red near the horizon because Earth's thick atmosphere scatters blue light, letting the warmer colors through, the same reason sunsets look red. Thursday also marks as the moon's farthest distance from the sun in 2025, as it comes just days after Earth hit aphelion, the point in its orbit farthest from the sun. On average, the moon is about 92.9 million miles from the sun. But during the Buck Moon, it will be roughly 94.5 million miles away. In summer, the sun takes a high path across the sky during the day. The moon, on the other hand, takes the opposite path at night. So instead of being high overhead, it moves in a lower arc closer to the horizon. Because it stays low in the sky all night, you can see it for longer and from more places, even if you're in a city or surrounded by buildings or trees. So when people say this full moon gives some of the best views of the year, they're talking about how easy and striking it is to watch, just because of where it travels in the sky. The position of this moon will make it more special, as it will be unusually low in the sky at night. This is because a full moon always appears directly opposite to the sun. Since the sun is still riding after the June's summer solstice, which is the longest day time of the year, the moon will be hugging the horizon. The moon's unusual low path is a direct result of its 18.6-year lunar cycle, known as a lunistice, a point when the moon's orbit tilts to its greatest angle relative to Earth's equator. This tilt means the moon rises and sets farther north or south on the horizon than usual, following a shallower or higher arc depending on the season. NASA explains this occurs because the moon's tilted orbit interacts with Earth's own tilted axis and orbit around the sun, causing long-term shifts in the moon's apparent trajectory. The name 'Buck Moon' comes from a seasonal behavior in North America. July is when male deer, which is known as Buck, fully grows their new antlers. Other Indigenous groups refer to it as the Thunder Moon, for the seasonal summer storms, or Salmon Moon and Raspberry Moon, tied to harvesting. European names include the Hay Moon, Mead Moon, and Herb Moon, linked to midsummer farming and festivals. While the name doesn't describe the moon's color, just like the previous month Strawberry Moon, the Buck Moon is known for its visual impact, especially when viewed from open fields, hilltops, or coastal areas with a clear southeast horizon. No telescope or binoculars are necessary, any star-gazer can notice the size and color difference compared to a typical high-riding moon. This moon's low track and striking appearance are part of a long-term lunar rhythm.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Earth is as far away from the sun as it ever gets. So why is it so hot?
The peak of summer is approaching for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but as we prepare for more sunshine and sweltering temperatures, our planet is spinning at its farthest point from the sun. On Thursday at 3:55 p.m. ET, our planet reached what's called the aphelion — the most distant point in its orbit around the sun, roughly 3 million miles farther away than when it's closest. This happens every year in early July, which might sound backward. If we're farthest from the sun, shouldn't it be cooler? People tend to associate proximity with warmth, so it seems natural to assume the seasons are caused by changes in how far Earth is from the sun. But the planet's distance has little to do with it. The real reason for seasonal temperature changes lies in the fact that Earth is tilted. Our planet spins at an angle — about 23.5 degrees — which means different parts of the globe receive more (or less) sunlight depending on the time of year. In July, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, bringing longer days and higher sun angles that lead to more direct sunlight — all of which produce summer-like heat. In contrast, the shape of Earth's orbit plays only a minor role. Although it's slightly oval-shaped rather than perfectly circular, the difference between our closest and farthest points from the sun is relatively small. Right now, Earth is about 3.1 million miles farther from the sun than it is in early January when it reaches perihelion, its closest point. Compared to its average distance of 93 million miles, that's only about a 3.3% difference. Because sunlight spreads out as it travels, even a relatively small change in distance results in about a 7% drop in the amount of solar energy reaching the planet. That's tiny compared to the effect of Earth's tilt. Just how big is the difference? Let's look at a few examples. In cities like Houston, New Orleans and Phoenix — near 30 degrees north in latitude — the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere in summer is more than double what those cities receive in winter. Farther north, around 40 degrees, the seasonal swing is even more dramatic. Cities like New York, Denver and Columbus see solar energy climb from about 145 watts per square meter in winter to 430 in summer — nearly a 300% difference. So, while it's true that Earth is receiving less energy from the sun right now, that detail barely registers compared to the power of the planet's tilt. A slight angle in Earth's spin does far more to shape our seasonal patterns than a few million miles of extra distance ever could. In the end, it's not how close we are to the sun that makes summer feel like summer — it's how we're angled toward it.
CNN
05-07-2025
- Science
- CNN
Earth is as far away from the sun as it ever gets. So why is it so hot?
The peak of summer is approaching for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but as we prepare for more sunshine and sweltering temperatures, our planet is spinning at its farthest point from the sun. On Thursday at 3:55 p.m. ET, our planet reached what's called the aphelion — the most distant point in its orbit around the sun, roughly 3 million miles farther away than when it's closest. This happens every year in early July, which might sound backward. If we're farthest from the sun, shouldn't it be cooler? People tend to associate proximity with warmth, so it seems natural to assume the seasons are caused by changes in how far Earth is from the sun. But the planet's distance has little to do with it. The real reason for seasonal temperature changes lies in the fact that Earth is tilted. Our planet spins at an angle — about 23.5 degrees — which means different parts of the globe receive more (or less) sunlight depending on the time of year. In July, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, bringing longer days and higher sun angles that lead to more direct sunlight — all of which produce summer-like heat. In contrast, the shape of Earth's orbit plays only a minor role. Although it's slightly oval-shaped rather than perfectly circular, the difference between our closest and farthest points from the sun is relatively small. Right now, Earth is about 3.1 million miles farther from the sun than it is in early January when it reaches perihelion, its closest point. Compared to its average distance of 93 million miles, that's only about a 3.3% difference. Because sunlight spreads out as it travels, even a relatively small change in distance results in about a 7% drop in the amount of solar energy reaching the planet. That's tiny compared to the effect of Earth's tilt. Just how big is the difference? Let's look at a few examples. In cities like Houston, New Orleans and Phoenix — near 30 degrees north in latitude — the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere in summer is more than double what those cities receive in winter. Farther north, around 40 degrees, the seasonal swing is even more dramatic. Cities like New York, Denver and Columbus see solar energy climb from about 145 watts per square meter in winter to 430 in summer — nearly a 300% difference. So, while it's true that Earth is receiving less energy from the sun right now, that detail barely registers compared to the power of the planet's tilt. A slight angle in Earth's spin does far more to shape our seasonal patterns than a few million miles of extra distance ever could. In the end, it's not how close we are to the sun that makes summer feel like summer — it's how we're angled toward it.
CNN
05-07-2025
- Science
- CNN
Earth is as far away from the sun as it ever gets. So why is it so hot?
FacebookTweetLink The peak of summer is approaching for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but as we prepare for more sunshine and sweltering temperatures, our planet is spinning at its farthest point from the sun. On Thursday at 3:55 p.m. ET, our planet reached what's called the aphelion — the most distant point in its orbit around the sun, roughly 3 million miles farther away than when it's closest. This happens every year in early July, which might sound backward. If we're farthest from the sun, shouldn't it be cooler? People tend to associate proximity with warmth, so it seems natural to assume the seasons are caused by changes in how far Earth is from the sun. But the planet's distance has little to do with it. The real reason for seasonal temperature changes lies in the fact that Earth is tilted. Our planet spins at an angle — about 23.5 degrees — which means different parts of the globe receive more (or less) sunlight depending on the time of year. In July, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, bringing longer days and higher sun angles that lead to more direct sunlight — all of which produce summer-like heat. In contrast, the shape of Earth's orbit plays only a minor role. Although it's slightly oval-shaped rather than perfectly circular, the difference between our closest and farthest points from the sun is relatively small. Right now, Earth is about 3.1 million miles farther from the sun than it is in early January when it reaches perihelion, its closest point. Compared to its average distance of 93 million miles, that's only about a 3.3% difference. Because sunlight spreads out as it travels, even a relatively small change in distance results in about a 7% drop in the amount of solar energy reaching the planet. That's tiny compared to the effect of Earth's tilt. Just how big is the difference? Let's look at a few examples. In cities like Houston, New Orleans and Phoenix — near 30 degrees north in latitude — the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere in summer is more than double what those cities receive in winter. Farther north, around 40 degrees, the seasonal swing is even more dramatic. Cities like New York, Denver and Columbus see solar energy climb from about 145 watts per square meter in winter to 430 in summer — nearly a 300% difference. So, while it's true that Earth is receiving less energy from the sun right now, that detail barely registers compared to the power of the planet's tilt. A slight angle in Earth's spin does far more to shape our seasonal patterns than a few million miles of extra distance ever could. In the end, it's not how close we are to the sun that makes summer feel like summer — it's how we're angled toward it.
