What term is the point in a satellite's orbit where it is farthest from the Sun?

• A. Aphelion
• B. Wave Train
• C. Apogee
• D. Wavelength

Answer: (A)

In orbital motion, the distance to the Sun varies because the path is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus. The point where the body is farthest from the Sun is called aphelion. This term comes from Greek roots meaning “away from the sun.” It’s the Sun-centered counterpart to perihelion, which is the closest point to the Sun.

The other options aren’t about Sun-centered distances: apogee is the farthest point from the Earth in an Earth-centered orbit, wavelength is a property of waves, and a wave train relates to sequences of waves rather than orbital positions. For a satellite orbiting the Sun, aphelion is the correct descriptor for the farthest point from the Sun.