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pericentre
/ ˈpɛrɪˌsɛntə /
noun
the point in an elliptical orbit that is nearest to the centre of mass of the system
Example Sentences
It arises from the ellipticity of the orbit, is zero at pericentre and apocentre, and reaches its greatest amount nearly midway between these points.
The anomalistic revolution of a planet or other heavenly body is the revolution between two consecutive passages through the pericentre.
Starting from the pericentre, it is completed on the return to the pericentre.
If the pericentre is fixed, this is an actual revolution; but if it moves the anomalistic revolution is greater or less than a complete circumference.
In astronomy the word denotes the angular distance of a body from the pericentre of the orbit in which it is moving.
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