Periapsis (Noun)
Meaning
(astronomy) the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited.
Classification
Nouns denoting spatial position.
Examples
- The spacecraft's periapsis occurred when it was approximately 200 miles above the planet's surface, providing a unique opportunity for data collection.
- During its highly elliptical orbit, the comet's periapsis brought it within 10 million miles of the sun, causing its ices to vaporize rapidly.
- The satellite's periapsis was carefully calculated to ensure it would not collide with the planet's atmosphere during its closest approach.
- Astronomers tracked the asteroid's orbit, noting that its periapsis would bring it within a few thousand miles of Earth in the coming weeks.
- The space probe's periapsis around Jupiter was a critical moment in its mission, as it would gather crucial data about the planet's magnetic field.