Perigee

Perigee refers to the point in the orbit of an object, such as a satellite or the Moon, around the Earth at which it is closest to the Earth. It is the opposite of apogee, which is the point furthest from the Earth. The term is also sometimes used more generally to describe the point of closest approach in any elliptical orbit around a celestial body. Understanding perigee is important in various fields, including astronomy, space exploration, and satellite communications, as it influences factors such as gravitational forces and signal strength.

Perigee meaning with examples

• The satellite's perigee was carefully calculated to ensure optimal data transmission during its closest approach to Earth, maximizing the amount of information received before it moved further away on its elliptical orbit.
• During the lunar perigee, commonly referred to as a supermoon, the Moon appears larger and brighter in the night sky due to its reduced distance from Earth, making it a popular event for stargazers and photographers.
• Engineers adjusted the orbit of the International Space Station to maintain a safe altitude and optimize its trajectory, considering the effects of atmospheric drag, especially around the perigee of its orbit.
• The effects of tidal forces are greatest during the times of a perigee, creating higher tides than usual, due to the moon's stronger gravitational pull as it's closest point in its orbit around the earth.