What do we call the date when the Earth is farthest from the sun?

The date when the Earth is farthest from the sun is known as aphelion. This point in Earth's orbit occurs when it is at its maximum distance from the sun, which happens once each year. During this time, the gravitational pull from the sun is at its weakest for Earth, which is significant for understanding seasonal changes and climate variations.

Understanding aphelion also ties into the broader context of Earth's elliptical orbit, a key concept in physical geography, as it helps explain variations in solar energy received by Earth throughout the year. This is distinct from perihelion, which marks the point of closest approach to the sun, and therefore represents the opposite phenomenon. Equinox and solstice refer to specific points in Earth's orbit relative to the sun's position, related to day length and seasonal transitions, but do not denote distance from the sun.