How far is the moon? Most of us learned in school that it’s about 240,000 miles from Earth. But that’s just an average. The truth is, the moon doesn’t stick to a perfect circular path. It orbits in an elliptical shape, so its distance from us changes during each monthly cycle.
Scientists have a smart way to measure the moon’s distance. They bounce lasers off reflectors left on the moon by Apollo astronauts. These measurements can be accurate to less than 2 millimeters! Most people don’t need that precision; we simply enjoy the beauty of the moon lighting up the night sky.
On November 5, we’ll get a special treat—a full moon rising in the east at dusk. On this night, it will be close to its perigee, which means it’s about 221,726 miles away. You might notice it looks slightly bigger than usual. This full moon will actually be the closest and largest we’ll see in 2025.
When the moon gets this close, people often refer to it as a “supermoon.” But it’s not as dramatic as it sounds; it will only appear about 7% larger than an average full moon. For comparison, imagine leaving a 7% tip at a restaurant. While appreciated, it probably wouldn’t elicit excitement.
The moon’s size can be hard to notice for some. This is partly because of a fascinating optical illusion called the moon illusion. When the moon is near the horizon, our brains trick us into thinking it’s larger than when it’s high in the sky. Without other objects for comparison, the moon appears more “normal” when it’s overhead.
Make a plan to step outside on November 5 to catch the full moon rising. Whether you spot the size difference or not, the sight is always breathtaking!
In recent years, social media has sparked interest in lunar events. Hashtags like #Supermoon trend as enthusiasts share their moon photos. According to a 2022 survey by the American Astronomical Society, 77% of people enjoy moonwatching, highlighting how universal this fascination is.
So, grab a friend or family member and soak in the view. The moon will always hold a little magic, no matter how big it looks!
Source link
Astronomy,Outdoors
