Here's why this is important:
* Varying Distance: Because the orbit is elliptical, the Earth's distance from the Sun varies throughout the year. It's closest to the Sun in early January (perihelion) and farthest in early July (aphelion).
* Seasons: While the elliptical shape does have a small influence on the seasons, the primary driver of our seasons is the tilt of Earth's axis, not the changing distance from the Sun.
