BY LETTER
Periapsis
In orbital dynamics, the point at which two objects in an elliptical orbit around their centre of gravity are at their closest approach. The opposite of apoapsis. Derivative terms are sometimes used for particular situations, as for instance perigee for a hab or moon orbiting a planet or perihelion for a planet orbiting a star.
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Development Notes
Text by Stephen Inniss
Initially published on 21 March 2013.
Initially published on 21 March 2013.
