Today Earth is closest to the sun

Oregonian · **Posted:** Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:33 pm **(#1)**

The earth travels an elliptical orbit and is closest to the sun today. The northern hemisphere is slanted away from the sun and it's summer in southern hemisphere while it is slanted toward the sun. That's why it is so much hotter below the equator at this time of year than it is when it is summer in the northern hemisphere.

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6h.html

2-ton · **Posted:** Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:35 pm **(#2)**

funny you should post that today. We just finished watching a movie with Nicolas Cage about when the sun has a gigantic flare and obliterates the earth.

Rod · **Joined:** May 16, 2010 **Posts:** 16170

Mike · **Joined:** Aug 27, 2010 **Posts:** 491

Still not hot enough to dry out the flooding in Australia ... only hot enough to make the stagnant water smell foul.

mikethedj4 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:56 pm **(#5)**

That's pretty cool thanks for the update!

Rod · **Joined:** May 16, 2010 **Posts:** 16170

It has been unusually warm in Michigan (55 yesterday)... oh wait i just looked outside and were having a snowstorm...ahh so much for early spring lol.

Drat now i have to get out the snow-blower.