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Perigee: meaning, definitions and examples

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perigee

 

[ ˈpɛrɪˌdʒi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

astronomy, orbits

Perigee refers to the point in the orbit of the Moon or a satellite at which it is closest to the Earth. This term is derived from the Greek words 'peri' meaning 'near' and 'ge' meaning 'Earth'. The concept of perigee is crucial for understanding the varying distances and speeds at which celestial bodies move in relation to our planet. Knowledge of perigee can help in predicting phenomena like supermoons, where the Moon appears larger and brighter due to its proximity to Earth.

Synonyms

closest approach, minimum distance

Examples of usage

  • The Moon reaches perigee approximately once a month.
  • During a supermoon, the Moon is at its perigee.
  • Astronomers observe the changes in the Moon's brightness at perigee.
  • The satellite's perigee allows for more detailed imaging of the Earth's surface.

Translations

Translations of the word "perigee" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perigeu

🇮🇳 परिभ्रमण का निकटतम बिंदु

🇩🇪 Perigäum

🇮🇩 perigee

🇺🇦 перигей

🇵🇱 perygeum

🇯🇵 近地点

🇫🇷 périgée

🇪🇸 perigeo

🇹🇷 perige

🇰🇷 근지점

🇸🇦 نقطة الحضيض

🇨🇿 perigeum

🇸🇰 perigeum

🇨🇳 近地点

🇸🇮 perigej

🇮🇸 nálægt stað

🇰🇿 перигей

🇬🇪 პერიგე

🇦🇿 perige

🇲🇽 perigeo

Etymology

The word 'perigee' originates from the early 19th century, derived from the French term 'périGée', which itself comes from the Latin word 'peri' (around) and the Greek word 'ge' (Earth). Initially, it was used in the context of celestial mechanics to describe the proximity of the Moon or other celestial bodies to the Earth. The use of 'perigee' in scientific literature correlates with the advancements in astronomy and the study of orbits, particularly after the development of telescopes and other observational technologies. As our understanding of celestial dynamics continued to evolve, the term became a standard part of astronomical vocabulary. Today, perigee is not only relevant in astronomy but also in satellite communications and space exploration, reflecting the ongoing interest in how space bodies interact at varying distances.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,515, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.