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Pack your virtual telescope and get set to marvel at the wonders of our universe as we celebrate Earth at Perihelion on January 3! Interestingly, our beloved planet decides to snuggle up a bit closer to the sun on this day, giving us the exciting phenomenon known as perihelion. Although it might be cold for many of us on Earth, it's a cosmic paradox that our planet is actually at its closest to the sun during this time. Medieval astronomers first made this astonishing discovery many centuries ago, and now we continue celebrating this evidence of our ever-dynamic cosmos. Ready to shine a bright light on your astronomical curiosity? Join us in heralding Earth at Perihelion!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1543</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Copernican Revolution Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>Nicolaus Copernicus publishes "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres," introducing the heliocentric model of the solar system, where Earth orbits the Sun.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1609</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Kepler's Astronomical Advances</div><div class='timeline-text'>Johannes Kepler proposes his First Law of Planetary Motion, confirming that planets (including Earth) orbit the Sun in an elliptical path, which includes perihelion.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1687</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Newton's Universal Gravitation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Isaac Newton's "Principia Mathematica" introduces the law of universal gravitation, helping scientists understand why Earth's distance from the Sun changes.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1961</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Space Age Validates Astronomy</div><div class='timeline-text'>With human space exploration, our understanding of astronomy, including Earth's perihelion, is proven beyond doubt, physically observing our world's movements.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Perihelion Interest Peaks</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the popularization of astronomy in mainstream culture, interest peaks in celestial events such as Earth at Perihelion, and celebrations become more widespread.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Visit a planetarium</h3><p class='facts-text'>Celebrate Earth’s closest approach to the sun by exploring more about space. Visiting your local planetarium or observatory is a wonderful way to expand your knowledge about our solar system.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Take a nature walk</h3><p class='facts-text'>Being physically present in nature heightens your appreciation for our beautiful planet. Take a moment to stomp in snow, admire a bare tree, or take deep breaths of fresh, chilly air to celebrate Earth's delightful eccentricities.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Join an astronomy club</h3><p class='facts-text'>What better way to celebrate than by meeting like-minded enthusiasts? An astronomy club can provide enlightening lectures, share telescope viewing sessions and offer interesting discussions about cosmic events such as perihelion.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create an Earth art project</h3><p class='facts-text'>Commune with our planet through the creative process. You might paint a picture of Earth, create a clay sculpture, or make a collage using photos from space. Not only is it a fun activity, but you get a beautiful keepsake to commemorate the day!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Read a space-themed book</h3><p class='facts-text'>Grab a book about astronomy and delve into the mysteries of the universe. Explore the intriguing aspects of our cosmic neighborhood and deepen your understanding of astronomical events, like perihelion.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The Beauty of Astronomy</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Celebrating Earth at Perihelion gives us a hands-on chance to appreciate how astonishing and intricate our universe is. Observing earth's closest approach to the sun reminds us of the infinite beauty and mysteries of space that often go unnoticed in our daily lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Appreciating Our Planet</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>There's something special about dedicating a day to observing and appreciating the wonder of our own planet. By taking part in activities like nature walks or Earth art projects, we are reminded of Earth's beauty and our responsibility to care for it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Boosting Knowledge and Interest</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Earth at Perihelion spurs increased interest in astronomy. By participating in related activities like visiting a planetarium or reading a space-themed book, we are given an opportunity to learn more about the Earth's orbit, the sun, and the fascinating world of astronomy!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Earth is Closest to the Sun during Winter</h3><p class='facts-content'>In a fascinating paradox, for those living in the Northern Hemisphere, Earth is actually closest to the Sun during winter. This happens because the Earth’s orbit is elliptical, not circular.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Distance Shrinks by Millions of Kilometers</h3><p class='facts-content'>At perihelion, the Earth is approximately 147.1 million kilometers away from the Sun. This is around 5 million kilometers closer than at its farthest point, known as aphelion, which occurs around July 4.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>We Travel Faster during Perihelion</h3><p class='facts-content'>Our planet's speed increases as it gets closer to the Sun due to gravity pulling it closer. This increased velocity means that Earth travels slightly faster in its orbit around the Sun during perihelion.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>More Solar Energy is Received</h3><p class='facts-content'>The closer proximity to the Sun during perihelion means that Earth receives a bit more solar energy. However, this increase does not affect our seasonal temperatures due to the angle at which the sunlight hits Earth around the time of perihelion.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Perihelion Shifts Over Time</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to gravity and other celestial forces, the timing of perihelion gradually shifts over time. This shift, though small, is enough that in about 23,000 years, Earth will be closest to the Sun around July 4 instead of early January.</p></div></div>
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