Earth hits its perihelion position in January. Solar radiation is proportional to the distance squared between the Sun and the earth, so why isn't it hot in "winter" at perihelion?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ellipticity of the Earth's orbit is small, so the effect of the distance between the Earth and the Sun at perihelion is also small. The tilt of the Earth's axis is what causes the seasons, not the distance from the Sun. Therefore, the Earth's position at perihelion does not necessarily make it hot in winter.

Earth Hits Its Perihelion Position in January