Even though there is no change of season during January, we have just passed the December solstice, it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and we are 147,100,000 km (91,403,702 mi.) from the Sun. This is in contrast to when Earth reaches aphelion during July, when it is 152,100,100 km (94,510,558 mi.) from the Sun. This creates an opportunity for students to explore the idea that distance from the Sun is a factor in causing seasons on earth. Begin the new year with some of the Sun-based investigations provided in this month’s column.