Moon – Closest to Earth Since 1993

The Moon though a 10" telescope - credit D. Robert Curry

Tonight’s moon will not only appear larger than usual, it will actually be closer than usual. The moon is currently about 31,000 miles closer to the earth than at its farthest orbit. This closest orbit, at a distance of about 211,600 miles, is known as perigee.

Perigee occurs about every twenty years, with the next one due in 2029. When the moon moves back to its farthest orbit, it is known as apogee.

“The last full moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993,” said Geoff Chester with the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. “I’d say it’s worth a look.

Because this closest approach is also occurring during a full moon the visual impact with be much more impressive. According to the NASA web site, “Nearby perigee moons are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the moon’s orbit.” The post on the agency’s web site went on to say, “For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects.”