View example sentences, synonyms and word forms for Periapsis.
Periapsis
Periapsis meaning
The point of a body's (elliptical) orbit in a 2-body gravitational system such that the distance between the two bodies (measured from their respective centres of mass) is at its minimum. | The minimum distance between the two bodies in such a system.
Synonyms of Periapsis
Example sentences (5)
When a star approaches and then reaches the periapsis of its orbit around a supermassive black hole, its gravitational redshift and its speed both increase.
A payload released at this point would go into a highly eccentric elliptical orbit, staying just barely clear from atmospheric reentry, with the periapsis at the same altitude as LEO and the apoapsis at the release height.
At periapsis: AU At apoapsis: AU The leisurely orbit of the pair has made it difficult to pin down their respective masses, and the accuracy of these values remain somewhat controversial.
Powered slingshot main A powered slingshot is the use of a rocket engine at or around closest approach to a body ( periapsis ).
The superior conjunction between Europa and Ganymede occurs when Europa is at periapsis.