On planet Earth, on which date is the Earth at its maximum distance (aphelion) from the Sun?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about basic astronomy and Earth position in its orbit around the Sun. The Earth follows an elliptical path, so its distance from the Sun changes slightly during the year. The day on which the Earth is farthest from the Sun is called aphelion. Knowing when aphelion occurs helps in understanding that the seasons are mainly controlled by Earth tilt, not by how far Earth is from the Sun.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the date when the Earth is at its maximum distance from the Sun.
• The concept involved is aphelion, the farthest point in Earth orbit from the Sun.
• The options include dates in January, July, September and December, plus one extra date we added for plausibility.
• We assume a typical year, because the exact time of aphelion can vary slightly but always falls in early July.

Concept / Approach:
Earth orbit is slightly elliptical. The closest point to the Sun is called perihelion, and the farthest point is called aphelion. Perihelion occurs in early January, and aphelion occurs in early July. This often surprises learners, because the Northern Hemisphere is cold in January even though Earth is slightly closer to the Sun at that time. The key idea is that seasons are governed mainly by the tilt of Earth axis, while the distance change only gives a small effect.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the definitions. Perihelion is the minimum distance of Earth from the Sun, and aphelion is the maximum distance.Step 2: Remember that perihelion happens in early January, around 3 or 4 January, so any January date is linked with closest approach, not farthest distance.Step 3: Aphelion occurs in early July, around 4 July in most years. This is the time when Earth is farthest from the Sun.Step 4: Compare with the options. Among the listed dates, July 4 is the one that matches the typical aphelion date.Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is July 4.

Verification / Alternative check:
A practical way to verify is to remember pairs of concepts. Perihelion early January, aphelion early July is a standard fact in school geography and astronomy textbooks. Another check is to recall that this timing is the same every year with only small shifts of hours or a day due to orbital variations. No other option here corresponds to the usual aphelion date.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
January 30 is too late in the month and, more importantly, January is associated with perihelion rather than aphelion. December 22 is close to the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice but does not relate to maximum distance. September 22 is near the autumn equinox, when day and night are almost equal in length, not when Earth is farthest from the Sun. June 21 is the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, connected with maximum tilt toward the Sun, not maximum distance.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners think Earth is farthest from the Sun during Northern Hemisphere winter, so they choose a December or January date. This comes from the incorrect idea that seasons are created mainly by distance from the Sun. The correct mental model is that Earth tilt controls the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives. Distance changes are small and only cause a minor effect. Remembering that Earth is actually closer in early January and farthest in early July helps avoid this misconception.

Final Answer:
The Earth is at its maximum distance from the Sun around July 4, which corresponds to aphelion.