periapsis
- noun
- /ˌpɛriˈæpsɪs/
- Specialized
:
periapsis
- The spacecraft reached its periapsis around the moon.
Examples
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As the comet approached its periapsis, astronomers gathered data to study the effects of the sun's heat.
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Adjustments to the orbit were made to ensure the satellite's periapsis stayed above the atmosphere.
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After passing periapsis, the probe began to move farther away from the asteroid.
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The spacecraft will reach its periapsis in just five minutes, coming closest to the planet's surface.
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During the mission, the periapsis was crucial for data collection.
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The spacecraft reached its periapsis just before starting its observations of the planet's surface.
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At periapsis, the satellite experienced the strongest gravitational pull from the Earth.
Synonyms
4
9.9
The point in an orbit when a moon or satellite is closest to Earth
2
9.9
The point in a planet or comet's orbit when it is nearest the sun
A place in an orbit where an object is closest to the planet or star it goes around
The point in an orbit when a star or planet is closest to another object
The point in an orbit around Jupiter when a spacecraft or moon is closest to the planet
A point in a satellite's orbit that is nearest the Moon
The point in a path around the Moon where a spacecraft is closest to the surface
Antonyms
- Specialized
The point in an orbit when an object is farthest from the planet or star it goes around
Compounds
- Specialized
A place in an orbit where an object is closest to the planet or star it goes around
How Close
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
periapsis = apsis (semi-transparent) = peri + apsis
The prefix 'peri-' meaning 'around' or 'near' is clear, but 'apsis' is a specialized term not commonly known.
Etymology
Periapsis comes from Greek parts peri- meaning 'around' or 'near' and apsis meaning 'arch' or 'loop', and you can see peri- in perimeter ('around'). So periapsis is the point in an orbit that is the 'closest' to the body it goes around.