Aphelion

Pronunciation

• IPA: /əˈfiːlɪən/, /æpˈhiːlɪən/

Origin

Greek form of Latin aphelium, from Ancient Greek ἀπό (apo, "from") + ἥλιος (hēlios, "sun") (modelled after apogaeum). Compare perihelion.

Full definition of aphelion

Noun

1. (astronomy) The point in the elliptical orbit of a planet, comet, etc., where it is farthest from the sun.

Antonyms

• perihelion

Related terms

• apogee
• perihelion
• apolune
• perilune
• apastron