Which of the following describes the Earth at aphelion?

The Earth at aphelion refers to the point in its elliptical orbit where it is farthest from the Sun. This distance can affect various aspects of Earth’s climate and seasons, although it does not directly correlate with the warmth or coldness of a season. Aphelion occurs at a specific time each year—around early July—when Earth is approximately 94.5 million miles away from the Sun.

In contrast to the correct choice, the other options describe phenomena that are not related to aphelion. For instance, initiating the summer season involves the tilt of the Earth's axis and its position in relation to the Sun, but does not directly correspond to being at aphelion. The tilt of the Earth relates to seasons but is not at its maximum at aphelion—summer in the Northern Hemisphere occurs when the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun, which is independent of Earth's distance from the Sun. Being closest to the Sun describes perihelion, the point of the orbit where Earth is nearest to the Sun. Therefore, being at aphelion specifically highlights the furthest distance from the Sun, making the selected answer correct.