Dictionary term
Perigee
Direct answer
Perigee is the point in a geocentric orbit nearest Earth’s center.
It is Earth-specific periapsis.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Also appears in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Aliases
- None listed
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
Quick reference
- Use when
- Use geocentric distance and an ephemeris instead of judging apparent size from photographs.
- Do not use it for
- Perigee does not establish unusual disasters, moods, or guaranteed tides at one place.
- Reference category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related terms
- Perihelion, Aphelion, Apogee, Ascending Orbital Node
The story behind Perigee
Lunar theory long tracked perigee because the Moon’s eccentric orbit affects apparent diameter.
Perigee in spiritual tradition
Measured nearness needs no sensational meaning.
The Great Almanac frames Perigee with educational restraint. Mystical or symbolic language may be meaningful, but it should not be exaggerated into certainty, panic, or permission to ignore ordinary responsibility.
Perigee in the Bible
This is a factual astronomy reference. It can support wonder at the created order without becoming a claim of fate, worship, or private revelation.
Perigee in numerology
Perigee is not a numerology claim. Any numbers attached to it should retain their ordinary scientific, calendrical, navigational, or historical meaning unless a separate symbolic interpretation is clearly labeled.
Why Perigee matters
It describes lunar and artificial-satellite distance variation around Earth.
Example in a reading: A full Moon near perigee can appear modestly larger than one near apogee.
Interpretive caution: Perigee does not establish unusual disasters, moods, or guaranteed tides at one place.
How Perigee is used in a reading
Use geocentric distance and an ephemeris instead of judging apparent size from photographs.
Where interpretation stops
Perigee is presented as sourced astronomy, calendrical, Earth-science, cultural, or instrument-history reference. Definitions should distinguish measured phenomena from civil convention and historical interpretation, preserve location and time dependencies, and avoid turning factual sky data into a deterministic personal claim.
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.
The page starts with a direct definition, then separates use, example, caution, spiritual meaning, and historical context. For astrology, occult, demonology, curse, and spiritual warfare terms, the editorial rule is to explain the term without making fear-based, fatalistic, medical, legal, financial, or ritual-instruction claims.
Continue learning
Continue from the definition into current sky positions, space weather, and the live collective celestial view.
Open Worldwide WatchRelated terms
These related entries help place Perigee inside a wider reference cluster instead of leaving it as a standalone keyword.
