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 relatively small, so the effect of the distance between the sun and the earth at perihelion is also small. Seasons are primarily caused by the tilt of the earth's axis, not its distance from the sun. Therefore, even though the earth is closest to the sun in January during its perihelion position, it does not necessarily mean that it will be hot during the "winter" in the northern hemisphere.

Earth Hits Its Perihelion Position in January