If the sky was clearer we would be able to see the full moon. Did you
know that not only is it the last full moon of the year it is also the smallest
full moon of the year as well.
Apogee and
Perigee of the Moon
Apogee and
perigee refer to the distance from the Earth to the moon. Apogee is the farthest point from the earth. Perigee is the closest point to the earth and it is in this stage
that the moon appears larger. Looking at the moon in the sky without anything
to compare it to, you wouldn't notice any size difference. But the difference
in size can in fact be quite significant.
If you were
to photograph a full moon at apogee and perigee (using the same lens), here's
how the two sizes would compare:
Effects
of Apogee and Perigee
The apogee and perigee of the moon have an effect on the tides here on
Earth. When the moon is at apogee, the furthest distance from the Earth, it has
less gravitational pull which, along with other factors that influence the
tides, can contribute to lower tides or lower variation in the high/low tide
level. When the moon is at perigee, closer to the Earth, there is much more
gravitational pull which contributes to the opposite effect: higher tides or
greater variation in the high and low tide.
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