Areocentric orbit

The areo- prefix is derived from Ares, the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Mars.

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] This article about geology, geography or other features of the planet Mars or its moons is a stub.