Moon Distances from Earth - 2010
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Jan 2010 | 20:39 | 358,673 km | 224,171 mi |
| 30th Jan 2010 | 09:11 | 356,592 km | 222,870 mi |
| 27th Feb 2010 | 21:45 | 357,835 km | 223,647 mi |
| 28th Mar 2010 | 05:06 | 361,891 km | 226,182 mi |
| 24th Apr 2010 | 21:09 | 367,168 km | 229,480 mi |
| 20th May 2010 | 08:42 | 369,769 km | 231,106 mi |
| 15th Jun 2010 | 14:51 | 365,957 km | 228,723 mi |
| 13th Jul 2010 | 11:15 | 361,129 km | 225,706 mi |
| 10th Aug 2010 | 17:51 | 357,862 km | 223,664 mi |
| 8th Sep 2010 | 03:52 | 357,187 km | 223,242 mi |
| 6th Oct 2010 | 13:32 | 359,444 km | 224,653 mi |
| 3rd Nov 2010 | 17:18 | 364,170 km | 227,606 mi |
| 30th Nov 2010 | 18:48 | 369,397 km | 230,873 mi |
| 25th Dec 2010 | 12:25 | 368,435 km | 230,272 mi |
Furthest from Earth (Apogee)
| Date | Time | Distance (Km) | Distance (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17th Jan 2010 | 01:55 | 406,448 km | 254,030 mi |
| 13th Feb 2010 | 02:23 | 406,533 km | 254,083 mi |
| 12th Mar 2010 | 10:15 | 405,984 km | 253,740 mi |
| 9th Apr 2010 | 02:49 | 404,967 km | 253,104 mi |
| 6th May 2010 | 21:54 | 404,196 km | 252,623 mi |
| 3rd Jun 2010 | 16:49 | 404,227 km | 252,642 mi |
| 1st Jul 2010 | 10:06 | 405,004 km | 253,128 mi |
| 28th Jul 2010 | 23:38 | 405,934 km | 253,709 mi |
| 25th Aug 2010 | 05:35 | 406,385 km | 253,991 mi |
| 21st Sep 2010 | 07:50 | 406,181 km | 253,863 mi |
| 18th Oct 2010 | 18:10 | 405,458 km | 253,411 mi |
| 15th Nov 2010 | 11:43 | 404,670 km | 252,919 mi |
| 13th Dec 2010 | 08:35 | 404,447 km | 252,779 mi |