periapsis

/ˌpɛriˈæpsɪs/
IPA guide

Definitions of periapsis
  1. noun
    (astronomy) the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited
    synonyms: point of periapsis
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    antonyms:
    apoapsis
    (astronomy) the point in an orbit farthest from the body being orbited
    types:
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    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
    type of:
    celestial point
    a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere)
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