JEDDAH: Earth reached its annual aphelion on Monday, passing the farthest point in its orbit around the Sun at a distance of about 152 million kilometers, in a regular astronomical event that scientists say reinforces that the changing seasons are driven by the planet’s axial tilt rather than its distance from the Sun. The event, which occurred at 8:30 p.m. Makkah time, was reported separately by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), citing the Jeddah Astronomy Society and the Noor Astronomy Society.

Earth’s aphelion on July 6 puts it farthest from the sun in 2026, but summer heat comes from Earth’s tilt, long days and direct sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Earth will reach aphelion Monday night, its farthest point from the Sun in its annual orbit, at 8:30 p.m. Makkah time, according to the Jeddah Astronomical Society.