perihelion

per·i·he·li·on  (pr-hl-n, -hlyn) n. pl. per·i·he·li·a (-hl-, -hly) The point nearest the sun in the orbit of a planet or other celestial body. [Alteration of New Latin perihlium : peri- + Greek hlios, sun; see swel- in Indo-European roots.] peri·heli·al (-hl-l, -hlyl) adj.

perihelion

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perihelion

Noun

pl -lia Astron the point in its orbit around the sun when a planet or comet is nearest the sun [Greek peri- near + hēlios sun]

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perihelion  (pr-hl-n) The point at which an orbiting object, such as a planet or a comet, is closest to the Sun. Compare aphelionperigee

perihelion

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perihelion

the point in the orbit of a heavenly body where it is nearest the sun. Also called perihelium. See also aphelion.

See also: Planets

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the point in the orbit of a heavenly body where it is nearest the sun. Also spelled perihelium. Cf. aphelion.

See also: Astronomy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

perihelion - periapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet where it is nearest to the sun periapsis, point of periapsis - (astronomy) the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited aphelion - apoapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet that is at the greatest distance from the sun