Minor Heat meets the “smallest Sun,” experts explain the causes of extreme heat

According to news from the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, on July 7, the day of Xiaoshu, the Earth will move to the position in its yearly orbit farthest from the Sun, and the annual “smallest sun” will also appear. Astronomical knowledge shows that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle, so it is closer to the Sun in January each year and farther away in July. This year, aphelion occurred in the early morning of July 7, after which Xiaoshu arrives, marking the official beginning of midsummer. Although the Earth is farther from the Sun at this time, temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere will continue to rise. Experts explain that the main factor affecting seasonal heat and cold is not the distance between the Earth and the Sun, but the changes in solar radiation brought about by the tilt of the Earth’s axis. In summer, the Northern Hemisphere receives more solar radiation and has longer daylight hours; combined with the continuous accumulation of heat in the ground, the weather will become increasingly hot. Experts also remind the public that observing the “smallest sun” requires professional equipment, and one should not look directly at it with the naked eye; also, take precautions against heatstroke and stay cool.