MUSCAT – “On Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 11:55 PM (Oman local time), Earth will reach its aphelion-the point in its orbit where it is farthest from the Sun, at a distance of approximately 152 million kilometres,” stated the announcement from OSAS.

However, despite this great distance, there is no noticeable effect on temperatures or seasons, the Society added, pointing out that seasonal changes are caused by the 23.5° tilt of Earth’s axis, not by how close or far Earth is from the Sun in its orbit.

Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Vice President of the Society, explained that the aphelion and perihelion are a result of the Earth’s elliptical orbit, which causes its distance from the sun to vary throughout the year. “Aphelion marks the point when the Earth is farthest from the sun, while perihelion occurs when it is closest,” he said in a statement to the Oman News Agency.
The next perihelion is expected on January 3, 2026, when Earth will be approximately 147,099,894 kilometres from the sun.

The Oman Society for Astronomy and Space continues to monitor and document such celestial events as part of its efforts to promote public understanding of astronomy. Al Mahrouqi noted that the society is committed to enhancing astronomical awareness in Omani society by simplifying complex phenomena and linking them to real-world scientific and environmental contexts.