What is the point in Earth's orbit farthest from the Sun?

The point in Earth's orbit farthest from the Sun is called aphelion. Earth reaches this point once each year, usually in early July, when it is about 152.1 million kilometers from the Sun.

Earth's orbit is a slightly elliptical path rather than a perfect circle. The opposite orbital point is perihelion, when Earth is closest to the Sun; it occurs in early January, at a distance of roughly 147.1 million kilometers. The difference between these distances is about 5 million kilometers.

Aphelion does not cause summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The seasons are driven mainly by Earth's axial tilt of about 23.4 degrees, which changes the angle and duration of sunlight. In fact, the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer near aphelion, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences summer near perihelion. The terms apply to any object orbiting the Sun, including planets, comets, and asteroids.