Which orbital point is the closest to the Sun?

• A. Apogee
• B. Perihelion
• C. Aphelion
• D. Perigee

Answer: (B)

In orbital motion, the distance to the central body varies because the orbit is typically elliptical, with the Sun at one focus. The point where the orbiting object is nearest to the Sun is called perihelion. That term specifically designates the closest approach to the Sun. By contrast, aphelion is the farthest point from the Sun. Related terms like periapsis and apoapsis are used for orbits around bodies other than the Sun; for Earth-centered terms, closest approach to Earth is called perigee and farthest is apogee. So the closest point to the Sun in a planet’s orbit is perihelion.