Periapsis

Origin

- + apsis

Full definition of periapsis

Noun

1. (astronomy) The point of a body's elliptical orbit about the system's centre of mass where the distance between the body and the centre of mass is at its minimum.

Usage notes

In the case of some particular celestial bodies, specialised terms are used.

Antonyms

• apoapsis

Synonyms

• pericenter

Related terms

• periastron
• perihelion
• perilune
• perigee