periapsis

Noun
  1. (astronomy) the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited (synset 108635954)
    referred to in: astronomy, uranology - the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole
    is a type of: celestial point - a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere)
    subtypes:
    • perigee - periapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is nearest to the Earth
    • perihelion - periapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet where it is nearest to the sun
    • perijove - periapsis in orbit around Jupiter
    • perilune, periselene - periapsis in orbit around the moon
    is a part of: celestial orbit, orbit - the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another
    same as: point of periapsis

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