The eccentricity of their orbit approaches in form that of Faye's comet, which travels round the Sun; consequently the stars, when at apastron, are twice their Periastron distance.
"The Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost'"
Thomas Orchard
These orbs complete a revolution in 180 years, and when in apastron are seventeen times more remote from each other than when at Periastron.
"The Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost'"
Thomas Orchard
The last Periastron was ninety years ago, and we've only been here for sixty-odd; all we have is verbal accounts from memory from the natives, probably garbled and exaggerated.
"Oomphel in the Sky"
Henry Beam Piper