EARTH AT PERIHELION:
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the center of the Earth will be at its closest distance to the center of the Sun during the entire calendar year. This distance is approximately 147 million km. Astronomers call this moment perihelion.
Despite this, it is still winter in the Northern Hemisphere at this time. The reason is simple — Earth’s rotational axis is tilted, not perpendicular to the plane of its orbit. It is tilted by about 26,5 degrees.
This means that during the Northern Hemisphere winter the hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, which means the sunlight hits the surface at a low angle, spreading the same amount of energy over a larger area. The Sun also stays above the horizon for a much shorter time, which prevents sufficient warming of the atmosphere.
PEAK OF THE QUADRANTID METEOR SHOWER:
One of the year’s most intense annual meteor showers, the Quadrantids, reached its peak activity during the past week. Its origin is from the debris left behind by the asteroid 2003 EH1. This shower is unique because it produces a narrow but very dense stream of particles in Earth’s orbit.
During peak activity, in an ideal dark sky, observers could see up to 60–120 meteors per hour radiating from a point in the constellation Boötes.
One of the year’s most intense annual meteor showers, the Quadrantids, reached its peak activity during the past week. Its origin is from the debris left behind by the asteroid 2003 EH1. This shower is unique because it produces a narrow but very dense stream of particles in Earth’s orbit.
During peak activity, in an ideal dark sky, observers could see up to 60–120 meteors per hour radiating from a point in the constellation Boötes.
The meteors are typically faint and fast, burning up high in the atmosphere. The conditions, however, for observing this phenomenon were unfavorable due to the coincident presence of a bright full “Wolf” Moon. Its brightness washed away most of the meteors that could have been observed. Despite this, some were still able to catch some of the more luminous ones. Especially in the predawn hours of January 3–4.
Astronomers note that the Quadrantid peak is very sharp — only lasting a few hours. This means that timing is crucial to see the best activity. In comparison to more prolonged showers like the Perseids, the Quadrantids’ short peak reflects the compact nature of the debris stream through which Earth passes.
ENHANCES AURORA FORECAST:
In the first week of 2026, space weather forecasting centers reported an increased likelihood of geomagnetic activity capable of producing auroras. This enhances auroral activity is attributed to an earlier coronal mass ejection (a large eruption of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun). This ejection interacted with Earth’s magnetic field.
When the released charged particles reach Earth, they can energize atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, causing them to emit vivid green, red, and purple light.
In the first week of 2026, space weather forecasting centers reported an increased likelihood of geomagnetic activity capable of producing auroras. This enhances auroral activity is attributed to an earlier coronal mass ejection (a large eruption of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun). This ejection interacted with Earth’s magnetic field.
When the released charged particles reach Earth, they can energize atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, causing them to emit vivid green, red, and purple light.
Forecast models suggest that this visibility could extend more equatorward or typical latitudes, potentially visible as south as the northern parts of the United States under clear dark skies.
Auroral displays carry scientific importance beyond their beauty. They are a direct effect of solar interactions with Earth. They are informing models of magnetospheric dynamics and helping researchers understand how space weather can influence satellites, radio communications, and power grids on Earth.
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