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aphelion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low
UK/əˈfiːlɪən/US/æˈfiːliən/

Technical, Scientific

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Quick answer

What does “aphelion” mean?

The point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is farthest from the Sun.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is farthest from the Sun.

By extension, can refer to the analogous point in the orbit of any celestial body around a star (e.g., an exoplanet's apastron). It is the opposite of perihelion.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No spelling or significant usage differences. Pronunciation differences follow general UK/US patterns for stress and vowel realisation.

Connotations

Identical; purely technical/astronomical.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to astronomical contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “aphelion” in a Sentence

[Celestial Body] reaches/passes through aphelionThe aphelion of [Celestial Body] is [distance/date]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
reach aphelionpass through aphelionat aphelionEarth's aphelion
medium
point of apheliondistance at aphelionvelocity at aphelioncalculate the aphelion
weak
far apheliondistant aphelionannual aphelion

Examples

Examples of “aphelion” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The comet will aphelion next July.
  • The planet is currently aphelioning.

American English

  • The asteroid aphelioned last week.
  • It will aphelion in early January.

adverb

British English

  • The comet passed aphelionly.
  • It moved most slowly aphelionly.

American English

  • The planet is travelling aphelionward.
  • It was positioned aphelionly.

adjective

British English

  • The aphelion distance is maximal.
  • We studied the aphelion point.

American English

  • The aphelion date occurs in July.
  • Its aphelion velocity is slower.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in astronomy, astrophysics, and related physical science disciplines.

Everyday

Extremely rare. Might be encountered in news articles about astronomical events or popular science.

Technical

Standard, precise term in orbital mechanics and celestial astronomy.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “aphelion”

Strong

apoapsis (general term)apastron (for orbits around other stars)

Neutral

farthest point (from the Sun)

Weak

orbital maximummost distant point

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “aphelion”

perihelion

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “aphelion”

  • Misspelling as 'aphellion' or 'aphelian'. Incorrectly using it for orbits around the Earth (that's 'apogee').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Earth reaches aphelion around July 4-5 each year.

No. Aphelion is specific to orbits around the Sun. Apogee is for orbits around the Earth.

Not directly. Seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis, not its distance from the Sun. The Northern Hemisphere summer occurs near aphelion.

Technically, the general term for the farthest point from any star is 'apastron'. 'Aphelion' is Sun-specific, but is sometimes used loosely for other stars in non-technical writing.

The point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is farthest from the Sun.

Aphelion is usually technical, scientific in register.

Aphelion: in British English it is pronounced /əˈfiːlɪən/, and in American English it is pronounced /æˈfiːliən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “none”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

APHELION: APart from the HElios (Greek for Sun). It's the point where the orbiting body is APart/farthest from the Sun.

Conceptual Metaphor

None in common use. The term is literal.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Mars experiences its coldest temperatures when it is near , its farthest point from the Sun.
Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between 'aphelion' and 'perihelion'?