What does the term perigee mean?

Definition of perigee

: the point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth also : the point nearest a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it — compare apogee.

What is the meaning of perigee and apogee?

Perigee and Apogee. … The point at which it is nearest Earth each month is called its perigee (this varies throughout the year). The point at which the Moon is farthest from Earth each month is called its apogee (this varies throughout the year as well).

What is an example of perigee?

noun. Astronomy. The point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the earth. The opposite of apogee. 'The most favourable conditions for a total eclipse are when the Moon is at its perigee, Earth is farthest from the Sun (around July) and when the Sun is observed near zenith.

What are perigee and opposite?

perigee Add to list Share. The perigee is the point in the orbit of an object circling the Earth when that object is closest to the Earth. … The opposite of perigee is apogee. A perigee is measured from the center of the earth to the center of the orbiting object.

What is the point of perigee?

The point of closest approach to the Earth is known as the perigee (from the Greek peri = near). At this point in the orbit, the object is moving at its maximum speed (Kepler's Second Law). The perigee refers specifically to orbits around the Earth, and is equivalent to the periapsis of a general orbit.

How close is a supermoon?

about 226,000 miles Its closest point is the perigee, which is an average distance of about 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) from Earth. When a full moon appears at perigee it is slightly brighter and larger than a regular full moon – and that's where we get a "supermoon.

How long is a perigee?

On average, the distance is about 382,900 kilometers (238,000 miles) from the Moon's center to the center of Earth. The point on the Moon's orbit closest to Earth is called the perigee and the point farthest away is the apogee.

What is a perigee moon?

Definition of perigee : the point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth also : the point nearest a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it — compare apogee.

What is a super full moon?

A supermoon is a new or full moon at its closest to Earth for the month.