<Tr> <Td> period </Td> <Td> 365.256 363 004 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> average speed </Td> <Td> 29.78 km / s (18.50 mi / s) 107,200 km / h (66,600 mph) </Td> </Tr> <P> The following diagram shows the relation between the line of solstice and the line of apsides of Earth's elliptical orbit . The orbital ellipse goes through each of the six Earth images, which are sequentially the perihelion (periapsis--nearest point to the Sun) on anywhere from January 2 to January 5, the point of March equinox on March 19, 20, or 21, the point of June solstice on June 20, 21, or 22, the aphelion (apoapsis--farthest point from the Sun) on anywhere from July 3 to July 5, the September equinox on September 22, 23, or 24, and the December solstice on December 21, 22, or 23 . The diagram shows an exaggerated shape of Earth's orbit; the actual orbit is less eccentric than pictured . </P> <P> Because of the axial tilt of the Earth in its orbit, the maximal intensity of Sun rays hits the Earth 23.4 degrees north of equator at the June Solstice (at the Tropic of Cancer), and 23.4 degrees south of equator at the December Solstice (at the Tropic of Capricorn). </P>

The shape of the earth's path around the sun