Experts Comment on Aphelion Causing Cold Temperature in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Bandung - The temperature in several Indonesian regions such as Bandung and Dieng was colder than usual, even the dew turned into ice. The condition was linked to the earth`s position which was currently at its farthest position from the sun or known as aphelion. However, experts in astronomy refuted the saying.

“It’s not related to aphelion. The earth’s temperature is not significantly affected by its distance to the sun,” said the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) head Thomas Djamaluddin, on Saturday, July 7.

The rebuttal also conveyed by another astronomy expert in Bandung, Avivah Yamani. The astronomy alumni of Bandung Institute Technology said aphelion was not related to the colder temperature of the earth. 

“The changes in temperature of the earth is in fact affected by the heat distribution in the earth due to the annual changes of the sun’s position,” said Avivah.

Every July, the earth is at its furthest position from the sun in accordance to its elliptical plane. That position is called aphelion. The recent issues circulated among public suggested that aphelion was believed to be the cause of cold temperatures on July 6, 2018, which fell drastically in some Indonesian regions.

The air temperature, according to Thomas Djamaluddin, is influenced by the heat distribution on earth due to the annual change of the sun’s position. The sun is currently in the northern hemisphere hence the southern hemisphere is in the winter state.

The air pressure in the southern hemisphere is higher than that in the northern hemisphere so that the wind blows from south to north. This wind also pushes the clouds to the north that makes Indonesia experiencing a dry season.

During the dry season in Indonesia, the wind blows from Australia which is in the winter season. "That's why Java is currently experiencing cold air," Thomas said, clarifying hoax news regarding aphelion. 

ANWAR SISWADI