The apogee is the point in an object's orbit where it is farthest from the central body it is orbiting.
Understanding the Astronomical Apogee
Based on the provided reference, the apogee specifically refers to:
- The point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth.
It also encompasses:
- The point farthest from a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it.
Think of it as the peak distance in a celestial orbit. When an object, like the Moon or an artificial satellite, travels around the Earth, its orbit is not perfectly circular; it's elliptical. The apogee is the moment or point in this elliptical path when the object is as far away from the Earth as it gets during that orbit.
Apogee vs. Perigee
The concept of apogee is often compared to its opposite: perigee.
| Term | Definition | Central Body | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apogee | Farthest point in orbit | Earth | Greatest distance from the center |
| Perigee | Closest point in orbit (compare perigee) | Earth | Least distance from the center |
Perigee is the point where the orbiting object is closest to the Earth.
Apogee in a Broader Sense
Beyond the specific astronomical context related to Earth, the reference also gives a more general definition:
- The farthest or highest point: culmination.
This usage applies outside of astronomy, referring to the peak or most successful point of something, like the apogee of a career or a movement.
In summary, apogee primarily denotes the point of greatest distance in an orbit around a central body, often Earth, but can also describe a general highest or farthest point.
