Introduction

Earth revolves around the Sun in an elliptical orbit with a mean eccentricity of 0.0167. As a result, Earth’s distance from the Sun (center-to-center) varies with mean values of 0.9832899 AU (147,098,074 km) at perihelion (closest) to 1.0167103 AU (152,097,701 km) at aphelion (most distant).

Due of the gravitational perturbation of the Moon (and to a much lesser extent the planets), Earth's actual distance at perihelion can vary from 0.9831914 AU (147,083,346 km) to 0.9833860 AU (147,112,452 km). This a range of 0.0001946 AU (29,106 km), which corresponds to about 2.28 times the 12,756 km equatorial diameter of Earth.

Similarly, the aphelion distance can vary from 1.0166125 AU (152,083,061 km) to 1.0168068 AU (152,112,126 km). This a range of 0.0001943 AU (29,065 km), also corresponding to about 2.28 times the 12,756 km equatorial diameter of Earth.

These extreme values of perihelion and aphelion were found over the 200-year period 1901 to 2100.

The table presented below gives the date and time (Greenwich Mean Time) of all perihelions and aphelions of Earth for the 21st Century (2001-2100). If Daylight Saving Time is in effect, add one hour to the times listed. For conversion to other time zones, see Time Zones and Universal Time.

The distances of perihelion and aphelion are given in Astronomical Units (AU), as well as the relative distance of each (in kilometers) with respect to their mean distances. Finally, the number of days elapsed between the current and previous perihelion is given. This interval ranges from 363.08 to 367.86 days during the 21st Century.