Moon Distances from Earth - 2013
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) |
---|---|---|---|
10th Jan 2013 | 10:20 | 360,036 km | 225,023 mi |
7th Feb 2013 | 12:05 | 365,295 km | 228,309 mi |
5th Mar 2013 | 23:13 | 369,921 km | 231,201 mi |
31st Mar 2013 | 04:00 | 367,476 km | 229,673 mi |
27th Apr 2013 | 20:00 | 362,251 km | 226,407 mi |
26th May 2013 | 01:50 | 358,369 km | 223,981 mi |
23rd Jun 2013 | 11:18 | 356,991 km | 223,119 mi |
21st Jul 2013 | 20:29 | 358,409 km | 224,006 mi |
19th Aug 2013 | 01:33 | 362,280 km | 226,425 mi |
15th Sep 2013 | 16:39 | 367,419 km | 229,637 mi |
10th Oct 2013 | 23:08 | 369,849 km | 231,156 mi |
6th Nov 2013 | 09:14 | 365,383 km | 228,364 mi |
4th Dec 2013 | 10:02 | 360,079 km | 225,049 mi |
Furthest from Earth (Apogee)
Date | Time | Distance (Km) | Distance (miles) |
---|---|---|---|
22nd Jan 2013 | 10:45 | 405,343 km | 253,339 mi |
19th Feb 2013 | 06:27 | 404,511 km | 252,819 mi |
19th Mar 2013 | 03:14 | 404,301 km | 252,688 mi |
15th Apr 2013 | 22:25 | 404,898 km | 253,061 mi |
13th May 2013 | 13:41 | 405,851 km | 253,657 mi |
9th Jun 2013 | 21:54 | 406,496 km | 254,060 mi |
7th Jul 2013 | 00:50 | 406,480 km | 254,050 mi |
3rd Aug 2013 | 09:02 | 405,807 km | 253,629 mi |
30th Aug 2013 | 23:50 | 404,846 km | 253,029 mi |
27th Sep 2013 | 18:17 | 404,268 km | 252,668 mi |
25th Oct 2013 | 14:22 | 404,518 km | 252,824 mi |
22nd Nov 2013 | 09:43 | 405,411 km | 253,382 mi |
19th Dec 2013 | 23:36 | 406,249 km | 253,906 mi |