aphelion

American  

[uh-fee-lee-uhn, uh-feel-yuhn, ap-hee-lee-uhn] / əˈfi li ən, əˈfil yən, æpˈhi li ən /

noun

plural

aphelia

1. Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun.

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aphelion British  

/ əˈfiː-, æpˈhiːlɪən /

noun

1. the point in its orbit when a planet or comet is at its greatest distance from the sun Compare perihelion

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aphelion Scientific  

/ ə-fē′lē-ən /

1. The point at which an orbiting body, such as a planet or comet, is farthest away from the Sun.

2. Compare apogee perihelion

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Other Word Forms

• aphelian adjective

Etymology

Origin of aphelion

1650–60; Hellenized form of New Latin aphēlium < Greek *aphḗlion ( diástēma ) off-sun (distance), neuter of *aphḗlios (adj.), equivalent to ap- ap- ² + hḗli ( os ) sun + -os adj. suffix. See apogee

Compare meaning

How does aphelion compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• aphelion vs. perihelion

Example Sentences

The most surprising thing about this cycle, though, is probably when its extremes occur on the calendar: perihelion is in January every year, while aphelion is in July.

From Scientific American

This eclipse will occur three weeks after the Earth has arrived at aphelion, the farthest point in the planet’s orbit from the sun, when the Earth’s umbral shadow appears largest in angular size.

From Scientific American

On Friday, Earth will swing toward the outermost point in its orbit, known as aphelion.

From New York Times

Instead it is probably near aphelion—the outermost sweep of its orbit, where it moves the slowest and thus spends most of its time.

From Scientific American

Earth reaches aphelion July 3, the most distant spot on its imperfect, annual orbit around the sun.

From Washington Post