perihelion etymology

Etymology

The word "perihelion" comes from the Greek words "peri" (around) and "helios" (sun). It literally means "around the sun."

Meaning and Origin

In astronomy, perihelion refers to the point in an elliptical orbit where a celestial object (such as a planet, comet, or asteroid) is closest to the sun. It is the opposite of aphelion, which is the point in the orbit where the object is farthest from the sun.

The concept of perihelion has been known since ancient times. The Greek astronomer Hipparchus first measured the perihelion and aphelion of the Moon in the 2nd century BC. The term "perihelion" was first used in scientific literature by Johannes Kepler in the early 17th century.

Importance

Perihelion is an important factor in understanding the orbital motion of celestial objects. It affects the object's speed, temperature, and other characteristics. For example, planets that are closer to the sun at perihelion will have higher surface temperatures and faster orbital speeds than planets that are farther from the sun at perihelion.

Examples

• The Earth's perihelion is about 147.1 million kilometers from the sun.
• Mars's perihelion is about 206.7 million kilometers from the sun.
• Mercury's perihelion is about 46 million kilometers from the sun.

perihelion relate terms

• anthelion

  Etymology The word anthelion is derived from two Greek words ἀντί anti aga

• aphelion

  Etymology Ancient Greek apo away from helios sun Meaning and Origin Aph

• girasole

  Etymology The word girasole is derived from the Italian phrase girare il sole which

• heliacal

  Etymology Greek helios sun akros tip point Meaning Relating to or occu

• helio

  Etymology Greek ἥλιος hēlios meaning sun Meaning Helio is a Greek name

• heliotrope

  Etymology Greek helios sun trope turning Meaning A plant that turns its

• insolate

  Etymology The word insolate comes from the Latin word insolare which means to exp

• insolation

  Etymology Insolation is derived from the Latin words in meaning into and sol

• parasol

  Etymology and Meaning The word parasol comes from the French word parasol which is d

• parhelion

  Etymology The word parhelion comes from the Greek words para meaning beside or ne

• perihelion

  Etymology The word perihelion comes from the Greek words peri around and helios

• solar

  Etymology From Latin solāris of or belonging to the sun from sōl sun First a

• solarium

  Etymology Latin solarium Meaning A sunny place or room especially one used for s

• solstice

  Etymology The word solstice is derived from the Latin word solstitium which means s

• south

  Etymology and Origin of South The word south originates from the Proto Indo European

• southern

  Etymology The term southern comes from the Old English word sūðerna which in turn

• Sunday

  Etymology The word Sunday has its origins in Old English Sunnandæg c 700 CE Sunn

• aphelion

  Etymology Ancient Greek apo away from helios sun Meaning and Origin Aph

• dingbat

  Etymology The word dingbat has several possible etymologies Ding bat Ding m

• anatomy

  Etymology Ana Greek prefix meaning upwards apart or through Tome Greek root

• persevere

  Etymology French persévérer Latin perseverare Prefix per through Verb severa

• glove

  Etymology The word glove originated from the Old French word glove or gluve which

• ginger

  Etymology Middle English gingivere gingyvere Old French gingembre Latin zingiber Sa

• herald

  Etymology The word herald comes from the Old French word heraut which in turn comes

• analogy

  Etymology The word analogy comes from the Greek word analogia which is itself derive

• python

  Etymology The word python has its roots in Greek mythology It is derived from the name