Residents of Jember Regency have been experiencing unusually high temperatures over the past few days. The temperature dropped drastically to 19 degrees Celsius in the morning. This cold phenomenon has disrupted residents’ daily activities. Responding to this phenomenon, Dr. Luffi Rohman, a Lecturer in Master’s Degree in Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), explained that the cold temperatures are caused by two main factors: the Earth’s position at aphelion (the point furthest from the sun) and the still-high rainfall. “When the Earth is at aphelion, the distance between the Earth and the sun reaches its maximum, so the amount of solar radiation received is reduced. On the other hand, high humidity from rain also amplifies the cooling effect on the surface,” he explained.

He explained that this cold temperature generally occurs in the middle of the year and is a natural phenomenon, but it still requires vigilance regarding its impact on public health. Aphelion itself is a point in the Earth’s elliptical orbit around the sun, where the distance between the Earth and the sun reaches approximately 152 million kilometers, compared to the perihelion point (closest distance) of only about 147 million kilometers. “The still-high rainfall in the Jember region contributes to increased air humidity, which amplifies the cooling effect. The combination of low solar radiation and high humidity creates cooler temperatures than usual,” Lutfi continued. Continue reading →