perihelion
A diagram illustrating a planet at aphelion (position 1) and perihelion (position 2) from the Sun (3).
Meaning
Noun
- The point in the elliptical orbit of a comet, planet, etc., where it is nearest to the Sun.
- The highest point or state; the peak, zenith.
Related
Broader meaning words
Origin
- , ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per-) + ἥλιος (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sóh₂wl̥ or a pre-Hellenic language), which was modelled after perigeum.
Modern English dictionary
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