Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. A viral Facebook post claiming that the Aphelion phenomenon is the primary cause of unusually cold temperatures across Indonesia in early July 2026 was officially exposed as a hoax. The misleading narrative falsely attributes routine seasonal weather changes to the Earth's orbital distance from the sun.

An investigation and interview published by Kompas.com on Thursday (9/7/2026) features a clarification from Thomas Djamaluddin, an astronomy expert from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). He explained that the dropped temperatures have absolutely nothing to do with Aphelion. Instead, the chilly weather is caused by cold dry air masses blowing directly from Australia, which is currently experiencing its peak winter season.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) also added that lower temperatures are a natural, annual occurrence in Indonesia during the peak of the dry season, particularly in July. This natural meteorological transition causes clearer skies at night, letting heat escape rapidly back into space and resulting in crisp, cold mornings across the archipelago.

(mg/sy/pr/rs)