Orbit

• Place where planet is closest to the Sun is called the perihelion
  • When it is moving the fastest
• Place where the planet is farthest from the Sun is called the aphelion
  • When it is moving the slowest

Planetary Configurations

• Conjunction
  • With the Sun as seen from Earth
  • If you look at the Sun and you also see the planet
  • Inferior planets have two conjunctions
    • Inferior conjunction --> closer
    • Superior conjunction --> farther
• Opposition
  • Opposite the Sun as seen from Earth
  • Superior planets can be in opposition
  • Inferior planets cannot be in opposition
    • Mercury, Venus
• Elongation
  • Angle between the Sun and planet as seen from Earth