On January 4, 2023, being at its closest point to the Sun, our planet will reach its maximum orbital speed for the entire year.
With each year that begins, the Earth starts a new orbit around the Sun. Our planet describes an elliptical trajectory around the central star of the Solar System, along 930 million kilometers. Once we reach the same point, start a new year at an astronomical level. With each cycle that begins, in addition, there comes a moment in which the Earth reaches its maximum orbital speed.
This year, the planet will accelerate an average of 3 thousand 420 kilometers per hour above the usual speed. According to astronomers, this phenomenon is due to the fact that it will be at its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion. Here we explain cHow does it work and what consequences does it have? for life on Earth.
Also read: Why there will not be a new year in the Solar System for 250 million years
What is the orbital velocity of the Earth?
Every day, the Earth advances at an average of 107 thousand 280 kilometers per hour in its trajectory around the Sun. Although this might seem like an unthinkable speed in human terms, it is what allows us to complete the annual cycle in 365 days and almost 6 hours. Every 4 years, in addition, enough time is added to complete a leap year, with an additional day in February.
At an astronomical level, the average speed of the planets varies every day. However, in the 16th century, the German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler realized that these heavenly bodies They speed up when they get closer to the Sun.. In an inversely proportional way, when they are further away from the star, they go slower. This phenomenon is known as Kepler’s Second Law.
According to NASA, an orbit is defined as the “regular, repetitive path that one object in space takes around another.” Likewise, orbital speed is how fast a celestial body is going around this path.
In 2023, according to the calculations of the platform EarthSky, Earth will reach its maximum orbital speed on January 4. In North America, this moment will be reached at 10 AM. This event has no consequences on life as we know it. On the contrary, It is a natural and recurring phenomenon.which happens with each passing year.
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