0
When an object is closest to the Sun in its orbit around the Sun, that is called perihelion; the farthest point in the orbit is called aphelion. The generic names (making reference to any central body, and not the Sun specifically) are periapsis and apoapsis (or apapsis).
The "helion" part refers to Helios, the Greek name of the Sun.
"Peri-" means "close to" OS "perihelion" means "the closest point to the Sun in the orbit".
"Aphelion" is the farthest point away from the Sun in the orbit.
Sometimes scientists use "gee" to refer to the Earth, so "perigee" is the closest point to Earth in an orbit, and "apogee" is the "farthest point from Earth in the orbit".
It isn't so much that you "need" perihelion and aphelion as it is that these words exist and you might as well understand them.
"Helios" is the Greek word for "Sun". "Peri-" is the prefix meaning "close" and "ap-" is a prefix meaning farther away. So "perihelion" is the closest point that an object in orbit comes to the Sun, and aphelion is the point at which it is furthest away from the Sun.
Every closed orbit is an ellipse, with the primary body at one focus. (Kepler's first 'law'.) Every planet in the solar system travels in an elliptical orbit. The orbit of Venus is the least eccentric, but it's still not circular ... even Venus has a minimum and maximum distance from the sun. An orbit has no aphelion only if it's perfectly circular. If it's not a perfect circle, then it has a minimum distance from the sun, as well as a maximum distance. The point in the orbit at which the distance to the sun is maximum is called "aphelion". ========================================= "Perihelion" is the orbital point where the distance to the sun is minimum.
Astronomers use the terms perihelion and aphelion to describe the points of an object's orbit around the Sun when they are closest to and farthest away from the Sun, respectively. In the case of the planet Earth, with the Sun as the focal point around which it orbits, the difference between the distances at perihelion and aphelion are much less than some of the other planets.
First of all, planets don't orbit the Sun in a true circle. Planets orbit the Sun in an oval shape, called an elliptical orbit. (When the planet is closer to the Sun it moves faster than when it is farther from the Sun.)
When the planet is at its closest point to the Sun it is called its perihelion, and at the greatest distance, it is called the aphelion.
The words also apply to other members of our solar system, such as asteroids and comets.
That is essentially it. =)
Aphelion and Perihelion occur because the shape of the Earth's orbit is elliptical. The Earth's distance from the Sun at perihelion is about 146 million
kilometers.
The distance from the Sun at aphelion is about 151 million km.
These words can also be used for the orbits other planets, asteroids, comets, etc.
Aphelion is Earth's furthest point from the Sun, whereas perihelion is the closest.
These words are also used for any other objects that orbit our Sun.
Aphelion ... lowest orbital speed.
Perihelion ... highest orbital speed.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Is Pluto perihelion or aphelion?
Pluto's perihelion distance is about 4.4 billion kilometers, while its aphelion distance is about 7.4 billion kilometers from the Sun. So, Pluto is closer to the Sun at perihelion and farther away at aphelion.
When the earth is at the maximum distance from the sun it is called?
Aphelion.
Point in planet's orbit where the planet reaches its maximum distance from the Sun?
A planet's maximum distance from the Sun is known as its aphelion. This point occurs when the planet is at the farthest point in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. The distance between the planet and the Sun is greatest at aphelion.
The farthest distance of venus from the sun?
Venus is about 67 million miles away from the sun at its farthest point, a distance known as aphelion. This distance fluctuates slightly due to Venus's elliptical orbit around the sun.
Aphelion distance of Venus?
The aphelion distance of Venus, which is the point in its orbit farthest from the Sun, is approximately 108.9 million kilometers. This occurs when Venus is at its most distant point from the Sun.
Is Pluto perihelion or aphelion?
Pluto's perihelion distance is about 4.4 billion kilometers, while its aphelion distance is about 7.4 billion kilometers from the Sun. So, Pluto is closer to the Sun at perihelion and farther away at aphelion.
The point at which a planet is the greatest distance away from the sun in its orbit is called?
Aphelion
Which is the longest distance from sun to earth?
Aphelion
When the earth is at the maximum distance from the sun it is called?
Aphelion.
Point in planet's orbit where the planet reaches its maximum distance from the Sun?
A planet's maximum distance from the Sun is known as its aphelion. This point occurs when the planet is at the farthest point in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. The distance between the planet and the Sun is greatest at aphelion.
What word describes the farthest distance from the planet from the sun?
Aphelion
What is the point in which a planet is the greatest distance away from the sun in its orbit called?
Aphelion is the point in a planet's orbit where it is farthest from the sun. This is when the planet is at its greatest distance from the sun in its orbital path.
The point at which a planet is the greatest distance away from the sun is called?
Aphelion
What is the distance between Earth from the sun during aphelion?
152,098,232 kilometers.
What do you call it when earth is at its max distance from sun?
When Earth is at its maximum distance from the sun, it is referred to as aphelion. This occurs annually in early July, as Earth follows its elliptical orbit around the sun.
The farthest distance of venus from the sun?
Venus is about 67 million miles away from the sun at its farthest point, a distance known as aphelion. This distance fluctuates slightly due to Venus's elliptical orbit around the sun.
What is the Moon's maximum distance from the sun?
That would be the Earth's distance from the Sun (at aphelion) plus the Earth-Moon distance. The latter is insignificant.
