0 the point in an object's orbit (= a curved path in space around a planet or star) around the sun at which the object is furthest from the sun:
The general shape of the diurnal profiles between perihelion and aphelion are similar, but dose values vary markedly.
Also, since perihelion and aphelion do not happen on exactly the same dates as the solstices, the maxima and minima are slightly asymmetrical.
Increasing the eccentricity lengthens the time spent near aphelion and shortens the time near perihelion.
The figure illustrates the effects of precession on the northern hemisphere seasons, relative to perihelion and aphelion.
Meanwhile, the planet is approaching aphelion, and nobody is entirely certain that it is in a stable orbit around the sun.
The images below show the perihelion (green dot) and aphelion (red dot) points of the inner and outer planets.
Orbital eccentricity is represented by segments extending horizontally from perihelion to aphelion; inclination is shown on the vertical axis.
When the orbit is at its most elliptical, the amount of solar radiation at perihelion will be about 23% more than at aphelion.
