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aphelion
[ uh-fee-lee-uhn, uh-feel-yuhn, ap-hee-lee-uhn ]
noun
- Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun.
aphelion
/ əˈfiː-; æpˈhiːlɪən /
noun
- See perihelionthe 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
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Derived Forms
- apˈhelian, adjective
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Other Words From
- a·pheli·an adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of aphelion1
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Compare Meanings
How does aphelion compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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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.
Suicide increases when the earth is in aphelion, and decreases when it is in perihelion.
When at aphelion the planets move slower, and when at perihelion they move quicker than at the mean distance.
When its centre is at the extremity most remote from the sun, or aphelion, it is the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere.
The solar tide varies between aphelion and perihelion from 1·9 to 2·1.
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