Perigee

- from the Greek peri 'near to' + gaia 'earth', the point in a planet's orbit when it is nearest to Earth. Since the Earth was traditionally perceived as the lowest sphere, proximity to the Earth was associated with lowliness, mundane matters and physical strength (planets appear larger at perigee). When at perigee planets are retrograde and slow in motion.

[The diagram shows the principle, not the scale]

Text and diagram © Deborah Houlding, 16/02/10