The place in a planet's orbit that is closest to the Sun is called:
A)vernal equinox.
B)aphelion.
C)perihelion.
D)crossing the ecliptic.
E)None of these; a planet's distance from the Sun never changes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The point in a planet's orbit that is closest to the Sun is called perihelion. This is in contrast to the point farthest from the Sun, which is called aphelion. The vernal equinox and crossing the ecliptic are not related to a planet's distance from the Sun. And while a planet's average distance from the Sun may not change, its distance does vary during its orbit due to its elliptical shape. The point in a planet's orbit where it is closest to the Sun is called perihelion. This happens because of the elliptical shape of the planet's orbit, which means the distance between the planet and the Sun changes throughout its orbit. The opposite point in the orbit, where the planet is farthest from the Sun, is called aphelion.

The Place in a Planet's Orbit That Is Closest to the Sun