Pericenter is a term used in astronomy to refer to the closest point in an object's orbit to its focal point. Other terms used as synonyms for pericenter include perigee, periapsis and perihelion. Perigee is a term used specifically for an object orbiting around the Earth, periapsis is used for an object orbiting around any other celestial body, and perihelion is used for an object orbiting around the Sun. These terms are important in understanding the dynamics of orbits and the movement of celestial bodies. Knowing these synonyms can help astronomers communicate more effectively and accurately describe the characteristics of celestial objects.