perigalactic

Perigalactic refers to the point in the orbit of a celestial body, such as a star or a spacecraft, when it is closest to the center of its parent galaxy. It is the opposite of apogalactic, which is the point farthest from the galactic center. The distance at perigalactic varies depending on the specific orbit and the celestial body in question. For instance, the Sun's perigalactic distance within the Milky Way is estimated to be around 25,000 light-years. Understanding the perigalactic point is crucial for studying galactic dynamics, stellar evolution, and the motion of objects within galaxies. It is a fundamental concept in astrophysics and celestial mechanics.