In a high elliptical orbit, the farthest point from Earth is called what?

In a high elliptical orbit, the farthest point from Earth is called what?

• A. Nadir
• B. Zenith
• C. Perigee
• D. Apogee

Answer: (D)

In orbital terms, the distance from Earth changes as an object travels along an ellipse. The point where the object is farthest from Earth is called apogee, while the closest point is perigee. Zenith and nadir describe directions relative to an observer (zenith is directly overhead, nadir directly below), not distances in an orbit. So for a high elliptical orbit, the farthest distance from Earth occurs at apogee.

In orbital terms, the distance from Earth changes as an object travels along an ellipse. The point where the object is farthest from Earth is called apogee, while the closest point is perigee. Zenith and nadir describe directions relative to an observer (zenith is directly overhead, nadir directly below), not distances in an orbit. So for a high elliptical orbit, the farthest distance from Earth occurs at apogee.