<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> 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>
the shape of earth 's orbit around the sun is
the shape of earth 's orbit around the sun is
elliptical
elliptical