Moon Distances from Earth - 2015
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) |
---|---|---|---|
21st Jan 2015 | 20:00 | 359,656 km | 224,785 mi |
19th Feb 2015 | 07:22 | 356,998 km | 223,124 mi |
19th Mar 2015 | 19:32 | 357,579 km | 223,487 mi |
17th Apr 2015 | 03:41 | 361,009 km | 225,631 mi |
15th May 2015 | 00:10 | 366,000 km | 228,750 mi |
10th Jun 2015 | 04:41 | 369,675 km | 231,047 mi |
5th Jul 2015 | 19:01 | 367,066 km | 229,416 mi |
2nd Aug 2015 | 10:10 | 362,123 km | 226,327 mi |
30th Aug 2015 | 15:28 | 358,283 km | 223,927 mi |
28th Sep 2015 | 01:52 | 356,878 km | 223,049 mi |
26th Oct 2015 | 13:08 | 358,472 km | 224,045 mi |
23rd Nov 2015 | 20:15 | 362,835 km | 226,772 mi |
21st Dec 2015 | 09:09 | 368,447 km | 230,279 mi |
Furthest from Earth (Apogee)
Date | Time | Distance (Km) | Distance (miles) |
---|---|---|---|
9th Jan 2015 | 18:11 | 405,376 km | 253,360 mi |
6th Feb 2015 | 06:13 | 406,132 km | 253,833 mi |
5th Mar 2015 | 07:16 | 406,388 km | 253,993 mi |
1st Apr 2015 | 12:50 | 406,033 km | 253,771 mi |
29th Apr 2015 | 03:49 | 405,116 km | 253,198 mi |
26th May 2015 | 22:10 | 404,283 km | 252,677 mi |
23rd Jun 2015 | 17:01 | 404,171 km | 252,607 mi |
21st Jul 2015 | 11:07 | 404,870 km | 253,044 mi |
18th Aug 2015 | 02:42 | 405,873 km | 253,671 mi |
14th Sep 2015 | 11:42 | 406,472 km | 254,045 mi |
11th Oct 2015 | 13:33 | 406,376 km | 253,985 mi |
7th Nov 2015 | 21:58 | 405,694 km | 253,559 mi |
5th Dec 2015 | 15:00 | 404,762 km | 252,976 mi |