periapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet where it is nearest to the sun
The point in the elliptical orbit of a planet or comet etc. where it is nearest to the Sun.
alt. of Perihelium
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
per-i-hē′li-on, n. the point of the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is nearest to the sun—opp. to Aphelion.—Also Perihē′lium. [Gr. peri, near, hēlios, the sun.]
The Nuttall Encyclopedia
the point on the orbit of a planet or comet nearest the sun.
The numerical value of perihelion in Chaldean Numerology is: 6
The numerical value of perihelion in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Sample Sentences & Example Usage
This time, as we're riding along next to the comet, the most logical way to end the mission is to set Rosetta down on the surface, but there is still a lot to do to confirm that this end-of-mission scenario is possible. We'll first have to see what the status of the spacecraft is after perihelion and how well it is performing close to the comet, and later we will have to try and determine where on the surface we can have a touchdown.
Images & Illustrations of perihelion
Translations for perihelion
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