Advertisement
Advertisement
aphelion
[ uh-fee-lee-uhn, uh-feel-yuhn, ap-hee-lee-uhn ]
noun
, plural a·phe·li·a [uh, -, fee, -lee-, uh, uh, -, feel, -y, uh, ap-, hee, -lee-, uh].
- Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun.
aphelion
/ əˈfiː-; æpˈhiːlɪən /
noun
- the point in its orbit when a planet or comet is at its greatest distance from the sun Compare perihelion
aphelion
/ ə-fē′lē-ən /
- The point at which an orbiting body, such as a planet or comet, is farthest away from the Sun.
- Compare apogee
Discover More
Derived Forms
- apˈhelian, adjective
Discover More
Other Words From
- a·pheli·an adjective
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of aphelion1
C17: from New Latin aphēlium (with pseudo-Greek ending -ion ) from ap- + Greek hēlios sun
Discover More
Example Sentences
At its perihelion it travels thousands of leagues per minute; at its aphelion it does not pass over more than a few yards.
From Project Gutenberg
Suicide increases when the earth is in aphelion, and decreases when it is in perihelion.
From Project Gutenberg
When at aphelion the planets move slower, and when at perihelion they move quicker than at the mean distance.
From Project Gutenberg
When its centre is at the extremity most remote from the sun, or aphelion, it is the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere.
From Project Gutenberg
The solar tide varies between aphelion and perihelion from 1·9 to 2·1.
From Project Gutenberg
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse