Saturday, July 6, 2002

Believe it or not, today marks the day when Utah and the rest of the Earth will be the farthest away from the sun this year.

"While it may seem odd that we're having our hottest temperatures when we're furthest from the source of the heat, there is a simple explanation," says Patrick Wiggins, NASA solar system ambassador to Utah.

That's because the distance from the sun has little effect on the Earth's temperatures. Rather, it depends on the way the Earth is tilted toward the sun.

"During this time of year," Wiggins explained, "we in Utah are tilted toward the sun, meaning the sun is higher in the sky and stays in the sky longer, making for some long, hot days."

Conversely, during the frigid days of January, Utah is actually closest to the sun but is tilted away from it.