What is equinox, aphelion and perihelion?

The Earth goes around the Sun in a yearly dance, and equinox, aphelion, and perihelion are special moments in that dance.

Imagine you're spinning around on a merry-go-round while holding hands with your friend, who is the Sun. Sometimes you’re closer to them, that’s perihelion, when Earth is nearest to the Sun. It happens around January. Other times, you’re farther away, that’s aphelion, when Earth is furthest from the Sun. That happens around July.

Now, think of a day when your shadow is just right, not too long, not too short, like when you're standing in between two tall buildings and your shadow touches the ground exactly at noon. That's an equinox! It happens twice a year: once in spring (around March) and once in autumn (around September). On these days, the Sun shines equally on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, like you're sharing your favorite toy with your sibling evenly.

So, Earth’s journey around the Sun is full of fun moments, equinox, aphelion, and perihelion are just a few of them.