[uh-fee-lee-uh
n, uh-feel-yuhn, ap-hee-lee-uhn] 
[uh-fee-lee-uh, uh-feel-yuh, ap-hee-lee-uh] . | Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun. |
lion (diástēma) off-sun (distance), neut. of *aphlios (adj.), equiv. to ap- ap- 2 + hli(os) sun + -os adj. suffix. See apogee a·phe·li·on (ə-fē'lē-ən, ə-fēl'yən)  (click for larger image in new window) n. pl. a·phe·li·a (-lē-ə) The point on the orbit of a celestial body that is farthest from the sun. [From New Latin aphēlium : Greek apo-, apo- + Greek hēlios, sun; see sāwel- in Indo-European roots.] |
aphelion (ə-fē'lē-ən) Pronunciation Key
(click for larger image in new window) The point at which an orbiting body, such as a planet or comet, is farthest away from the Sun. Compare apogee, perihelion. |