Sky science
Apogee
Direct answer
Apogee is the point in a geocentric orbit farthest from Earth’s center.
It is Earth-specific apoapsis.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Aphelion, Perigee, Ascending Orbital Node, Descending Orbital Node
It is Earth-specific apoapsis.
A scientific orientation to scale, light, or motion; the article supplies the precise definition.
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The story behind Apogee
Astronomers refined lunar apogee tables for calendars, eclipses, and navigation.
A one-minute story
The Wandering Stars
How the moving planets were watched, named and found, and what a transit is.
Why Apogee matters
Apogee marks the maximum distance of the Moon or an Earth satellite in its orbit.
Apogee in practice: an example
The Moon’s apparent disk is slightly smaller near apogee than near perigee.
Where readings of Apogee go wrong
Apogee is not the same as greatest altitude above an observer’s horizon.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Almanac Glossary - Definitions for astronomical coordinates, time, reference systems, and observable phenomena.
- NASA Science: Moon Phases - NASA explanation and visualization of lunar phases and libration.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Distinguish apogee from altitude
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Common questions
What is an apogee?
Apogee is the point in a geocentric orbit farthest from Earth’s center.
What do people get wrong about an apogee?
Apogee is not the same as greatest altitude above an observer’s horizon.
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