Pick an option: in three hours (1106 MDT, 1206 CDT, 1306 EDT, etc.) the Earth will be…
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a) closest to the Sun
b) furthest from the Sun
c) tilted away from the Sun to its greatest extent
d) tilted towards the Sun to its greatest extent
It’s a bit of a trick question, but not in the way you might think. There are, in fact, two correct answers. Its amazing how few people understand the whys and wherefors of the natural world around them. Amazing, but not surprising.
Remember; I teach your yoots. Or used to (I’ll be returning next year after March break). I know what kind of stock are reinforcing y’all out there. And I’m not much encouraged.
Regardless, today is the Solstice. The beginning of summer in the north, and winter in the south. Earth is very close to aphelion (July 4ish, actually), but that doesn’t affect anything seasons-wise. Dakshinayana in the Verdic calendar. Setsubun in Japan.
For us in the north, the longest day of the year. But it’s bittersweet; from here on in, the days get shorter.
As for the answer above? C and D, depending on which hemisphere you live in. It’s the kind of question I give to my grade 7s. Read about it here.
An happy solstice everybody!