Apogee refers to the highest point of an object’s elliptical orbit around the Earth or another celestial body. This term is most commonly used to describe the farthest point of the moon’s orbit from the Earth. In this article, we will dive into the concept of apogee and what it means for the celestial bodies involved.
What is Apogee?
- Apogee is the point in an object’s elliptical orbit that is furthest from the body it orbits.
- This term is most commonly used to describe the farthest point of the moon’s orbit from the Earth.
- The opposite of apogee is perigee, which is the closest point of an object’s orbit to the body it orbits.
How does Apogee affect the Moon?
- The moon’s distance from the Earth changes throughout its orbit. When the moon is at apogee, it is about 251,000 miles away from the Earth.
- This distance affects the appearance of the moon in the sky. When the moon is at apogee, it appears smaller and less bright than when it is at perigee.
- The moon’s distance also affects the tides. The tides are highest when the moon is at perigee and lowest when it is at apogee.
In conclusion, apogee is an important concept in celestial mechanics as it describes the highest point of an object’s orbit around another celestial body. Understanding apogee allows us to better understand the movements and interactions of celestial bodies and their effects on each other.