An areocentric orbit is an orbit around the planet Mars.
The areo- prefix is derived from " Ares," the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Mars. The name is analogous to the term " geocentric orbit" for an orbit around Earth and " heliocentric orbit" for an orbit around the Sun. As with these other orbits, the apsides of an areocentric orbit are sometimes called by specialized names: the pericenter is named periareon (analogous to " perigee") and the apocenter is named apoareon (analogous to " apogee").
The first artificial satellite to orbit another planet — the U.S. probe Mariner 9 — entered areocentric orbit on 13 November 1971. [1] Within a month, Mariner 9 was joined in orbit by two Soviet orbiters: Mars 2 (27 November 1971) and Mars 3 (2 December 1971). [2]
An areocentric orbit is an orbit around the planet Mars.
The areo- prefix is derived from " Ares," the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Mars. The name is analogous to the term " geocentric orbit" for an orbit around Earth and " heliocentric orbit" for an orbit around the Sun. As with these other orbits, the apsides of an areocentric orbit are sometimes called by specialized names: the pericenter is named periareon (analogous to " perigee") and the apocenter is named apoareon (analogous to " apogee").
The first artificial satellite to orbit another planet — the U.S. probe Mariner 9 — entered areocentric orbit on 13 November 1971. [1] Within a month, Mariner 9 was joined in orbit by two Soviet orbiters: Mars 2 (27 November 1971) and Mars 3 (2 December 1971). [2]