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Multiple Choice

The closest approach to the Sun is called which term?

In orbital terms, the distance between two bodies varies as they move. The point where the orbiting object is nearest to the Sun is called perihelion. The opposite point, where it’s farthest from the Sun, is aphelion. The terms perigee and apogee describe distances to the Earth, not the Sun, with perigee being the closest to Earth. So the closest approach to the Sun is perihelion.

In orbital terms, the distance between two bodies varies as they move. The point where the orbiting object is nearest to the Sun is called perihelion. The opposite point, where it’s farthest from the Sun, is aphelion. The terms perigee and apogee describe distances to the Earth, not the Sun, with perigee being the closest to Earth. So the closest approach to the Sun is perihelion.