apoapsis
Definition
- Noun:
- (Astronomy) The point in an orbit farthest from the body being orbited: This is the specific astronomical term for the orbital position where the distance between the orbiting object and the central body it revolves around is at its maximum.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The spacecraft's velocity is lowest at its apoapsis.
- Scientists calculated the satellite's apoapsis to be 50,000 kilometers from the planet's center.
Advanced Usage
- Specific Terminology: When referring to orbits around a specific celestial body, more precise terms derived from "apoapsis" are commonly used. For example, "apogee" for Earth, "aphelion" for the Sun, and "apojove" for Jupiter. However, "apoapsis" remains the general term applicable to any central body.
- While 'aphelion' is correct for a solar orbit, 'apoapsis' is the correct general term for the farthest point in any orbit.
Variants and Related Words
- Periapsis (n): The point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited. This is the direct antonym of apoapsis.
- The satellite experiences maximum gravitational pull at its periapsis.
- Apsis (n): Either of the two extreme points in an orbit (the apoapsis or the periapsis).
- The line connecting the apsides is called the line of apsides.
Synonyms
- Farthest point: A general, non-technical description.
- Orbital apogee: A specific synonym when the central body is Earth.
Antonyms
- Periapsis (n): The point of closest approach in an orbit.
- Orbital perigee: The antonym specifically for an orbit around Earth.
Noun
-
(astronomy) the point in an orbit farthest from the body being orbited
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