periapsis
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(′per·ē′ap·səs)
(astronomy) The orbital point nearest the center of attraction of an orbiting body.
Wiley Book of Astronomy:
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periapsis
The point in an orbit when two objects are closest together. Special names are given to this point for commonly used systems, including periastron, perihelion, and perigee. Compare with apoapsis.
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periapsis
IN BRIEF: n. - (astronomy) the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited.
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McGraw-Hill Science & Technology Dictionary
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Wiley Book of Astronomy
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