What is the sun’s apparent size in the summer compared to the winter?

7 Responses

1. Sphirex December 22, 2009 | 7:44 pm

   

   Larger in summer than in winter.
2. Michael G December 25, 2009 | 8:58 am

   

   It is the same.
3. J A December 27, 2009 | 5:20 pm

   

   The Earth is about 3 million miles closer to the Sun on January 3rd as on July 4, so the Sun appears only very slightly larger in winter (but really imperceptible to the human eye). Any apparent size difference is due to atmospheric conditions and how much atmosphere the sun is viewed through, etc. such as how big the sun looks at sunset vs. noon.
4. Just Some Guy December 29, 2009 | 7:42 pm

   

   The Earth is usually farthest from the Sun (”aphelion”) in July, and closest (”perihelion”) in January. It’s only the difference between 91 million miles an 95 million miles, though, so even though we’re closer when it’s winter in the northern hemisphere you can’t really see the difference.
5. bikenbeer2000 December 31, 2009 | 10:31 am

   

   The earth is farthest from the Sun in July, therefore it appears smaller during the northern hemisphere summer. The Sun’s diameter is about 3% larger in January, compared with July.
6. Geoff G December 31, 2009 | 8:05 pm

   

   Summer in which hemisphere (northern or southern)? Winter in which hemisphere? Don’t you get it? The size of the Sun is totally irrelevant in determining the seasons…I learned this in third grade, didn’t you?
7. davehuckleberry_55 January 2, 2010 | 4:53 am

   

   The Suns apparent size in Winter(Northern hemisphere) would be ever so slightly larger because the Earth is only 147 million km from the Sun while during the Summer (in the northern hemisphere) the Sun is actually 152 million miles from the Sun.