Earth's orbit On average, Earth is approximately 149.6 million km (about 92.96 million miles) away from the Sun. Earth's orbit around the Sun is nearly circular, with one full orbit marking the period of one year. (more) perihelion astronomy Written by Erik Gregersen Erik Gregersen is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, specializing in the physical sciences and technology. Before joining Britannica in 2007, he worked at the University of Chicago Press on the... Erik Gregersen Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 3, 2026 •History perihelion, in astronomy, the point in the orbit of a planet, comet, or other body that is closest to the Sun. When Earth is at its perihelion in early January, it is about 4,800,000 km (3,000,000 miles) closer to the Sun than when at its aphelion (farthest point from the Sun) in early July. Corresponding terms for describing the most distant orbital point of bodies moving around centers of force other than the Sun include “perigee” (for closest point to Earth) and “perijove” (for closest point to Jupiter)....

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