Moon Distances from Earth - 2008
According to Nasa the average distance between the Earth and the Moon is approximately 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles), however this varies by around 50,000 km each month owing to the Moon's eleptical orbit.
This variation in distance matters for a number of reasons. When the moon is closest (preigee) it will appear both bigger and brighter. When this coincides with a full moon it is known as a "supremoon" and can appear up to 17% bigger and 30% brighter. The proximity of the moon also affects the size of the tides, with the tidal range being greatest when the moon is closest.
Closest to Earth (Perigee)
| Date | Time | Distance (Km) | Distance (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19th Jan 2008 | 08:42 | 366,454 km | 229,034 mi |
| 14th Feb 2008 | 00:56 | 370,256 km | 231,410 mi |
| 10th Mar 2008 | 21:31 | 366,323 km | 228,952 mi |
| 7th Apr 2008 | 19:23 | 361,094 km | 225,684 mi |
| 6th May 2008 | 03:12 | 357,777 km | 223,611 mi |
| 3rd Jun 2008 | 13:05 | 357,249 km | 223,281 mi |
| 1st Jul 2008 | 21:20 | 359,503 km | 224,689 mi |
| 29th Jul 2008 | 23:16 | 363,863 km | 227,414 mi |
| 26th Aug 2008 | 03:51 | 368,664 km | 230,415 mi |
| 20th Sep 2008 | 03:35 | 368,854 km | 230,534 mi |
| 17th Oct 2008 | 06:17 | 363,804 km | 227,378 mi |
| 14th Nov 2008 | 10:07 | 358,961 km | 224,351 mi |
| 12th Dec 2008 | 21:45 | 356,564 km | 222,853 mi |
Furthest from Earth (Apogee)
| Date | Time | Distance (Km) | Distance (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Jan 2008 | 08:11 | 405,297 km | 253,311 mi |
| 31st Jan 2008 | 04:27 | 404,493 km | 252,808 mi |
| 28th Feb 2008 | 01:26 | 404,403 km | 252,752 mi |
| 26th Mar 2008 | 20:07 | 405,058 km | 253,161 mi |
| 23rd Apr 2008 | 09:23 | 405,921 km | 253,701 mi |
| 20th May 2008 | 14:11 | 406,398 km | 253,999 mi |
| 16th Jun 2008 | 17:20 | 406,243 km | 253,902 mi |
| 14th Jul 2008 | 04:07 | 405,480 km | 253,425 mi |
| 10th Aug 2008 | 20:15 | 404,593 km | 252,871 mi |
| 7th Sep 2008 | 14:57 | 404,254 km | 252,659 mi |
| 5th Oct 2008 | 10:37 | 404,758 km | 252,974 mi |
| 2nd Nov 2008 | 05:03 | 405,753 km | 253,596 mi |
| 29th Nov 2008 | 17:08 | 406,494 km | 254,059 mi |
| 26th Dec 2008 | 18:03 | 406,595 km | 254,122 mi |