Tag: perihelion


  • Comet 24P/Schaumasse Nears Sun: Can You See It?

    Comet 24P/Schaumasse Nears Sun: Can You See It?

    Perihelion in the Solar System’s Fashion Show Today, the solar system’s icy traveler, 24P/Schaumasse, will reach its closest approach to the Sun in its current orbit, an event known as perihelion. This annual plunge toward the Sun warms and brightens the comet, sending out gas and dust that can briefly turn it into a visible…

  • Comet 24P/Schaumasse at Perihelion: Will It Be Visible Tonight?

    Comet 24P/Schaumasse at Perihelion: Will It Be Visible Tonight?

    Introduction: A Rare Solar Passage for Comet 24P/Schaumasse Today, the icy comet 24P/Schaumasse reaches the Sun as it follows its regular orbital path. Known to astronomers as perihelion, this is the moment the comet comes closest to the Sun within its 8-plus year orbit. For skywatchers, perihelion often reshapes a comet’s brightness and visibility, offering…

  • Comet 24P/Schaumasse Heads for Closest Sun Approach — Will It Shine for You?

    Comet 24P/Schaumasse Heads for Closest Sun Approach — Will It Shine for You?

    What is perihelion and why it matters for Comet 24P/Schaumasse Perihelion is when a comet’s orbit brings it closest to the Sun. For 24P/Schaumasse, that moment arrives today in its current orbit, setting the stage for a brightness peak and a chance to observe a distant iceball light up in the inner solar system. Unlike…

  • The Sun Appears Largest in 2026: Earth at Perihelion Today

    The Sun Appears Largest in 2026: Earth at Perihelion Today

    What is perihelion and why does the Sun look bigger today? On January 3, 2026, Earth reaches perihelion, the point in its orbit closest to the Sun. This annual event, part of a predictable celestial dance, isn’t dramatic in terms of distance—Earth comes within about 147 million kilometers (91 million miles) of the Sun—but it…

  • Largest Sun of 2026: Earth Reaches Perihelion in Early January

    Largest Sun of 2026: Earth Reaches Perihelion in Early January

    What is perihelion and why does it matter? Perihelion is the point in Earth’s orbit where we are closest to the Sun. In 2026, this celestial milestone occurs on or around January 3, when our planet reaches its minimum distance from its parent star. Although the distance varies slightly each year due to gravitational influences,…

  • Perihelion 2026: Earth’s Closest Approach to the Sun Delivers Biggest Sunrise of the Year

    Perihelion 2026: Earth’s Closest Approach to the Sun Delivers Biggest Sunrise of the Year

    What perihelion means for 2026 On January 3, 2026, Earth reaches a point in its orbit known as perihelion, the moment when our planet is closest to the Sun for the year. While the distance is not the sole factor behind seasonal temperatures, perihelion can influence the intensity of sunlight and the apparent size of…

  • Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens Unexpectedly as It Nears the Sun

    Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens Unexpectedly as It Nears the Sun

    Unprecedented Brightening Stuns Scientists The interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS continues to astonish researchers as it brightens at an unexpectedly rapid pace during its closest approach to the Sun. While comets commonly glow brighter as they shed dust and gas when heated by solar radiation, the rapid surge in brightness of this alien object has left astronomers…

  • Interstellar Invader 3I/ATLAS Brightens Unexpectedly Near Sun, Baffling Scientists

    Interstellar Invader 3I/ATLAS Brightens Unexpectedly Near Sun, Baffling Scientists

    Unpredictable Brightening of an Interstellar Visitor The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the first known visitor from another star system, has once again surprised astronomers. As it neared its closest approach to the Sun, the enigmatic object showed an unexpected surge in brightness that scientists still cannot fully explain. This rapid brightening, observed by several observatories around…

  • Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens as it Passes Behind the Sun: New Study Details Its Fiery Perihelion

    Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens as it Passes Behind the Sun: New Study Details Its Fiery Perihelion

    Overview: A Rare Visitor with a Blue Glow The interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS has captivated astronomers and space enthusiasts alike as it journeyed through the inner solar system. A new study analyzes its rapid brightening as the comet zipped behind the Sun, reaching perihelion—the closest point to the Sun—on Thursday, October 30. Unlike comets born in…

  • Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens as it Passes Behind the Sun

    Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens as it Passes Behind the Sun

    What makes 3I/ATLAS special? Interstellar 3I/ATLAS is one of the few known visitors from beyond our solar system. Unlike the comets and asteroids that orbit our Sun, 3I/ATLAS originated from another star system, likely sent drifting through the galaxy long before humanity existed. Its journey offered astronomers a rare chance to study material from another…