II know when its rising seems like its bigger but its an optic illusion or some chemical effect on the atmosphere. But, does the moon really gets closer to earth sometime in the year?
2007-02-12 06:45:54 · 6 answers · asked by cynthiaspiers 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes it does. The Moon's orbit around earth is not perfectly circular, it is elliptical. When the moon is at its perigee, it is closest to Earth so it will appear larger. When it is at its apogee, it is farthest away from Earth so it will appear smaller. The Moon revolves around the Earth every 29 1/2 days or thereabouts, so it hits its perigee once every 29 1/2 days and its apogee once every 29 1/2 days. The Moon will hit its perigee again on February 19th at approximately 9:35 AM, and it will hit its apogee again on March 7th at 3:38 AM.
2007-02-12 06:54:49 · answer #1 · answered by sarge927 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The time of year has no bearing. The moon, in its orbit around the Earth, will come closer at its perigee and be farther away at its apogee.Since the orbital period is roughly 29 days, it will hit its perigee every 29 days.
The moon also appears biggest when it is full and closer to the horizon. If the perigee occurs during a full moon, it will appear biggest when the moon is just rising or setting.
2007-02-12 15:19:28 · answer #2 · answered by Matthew P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Harvest Moon in October
2007-02-12 14:53:32 · answer #3 · answered by panthrchic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
October moon
2007-02-12 14:48:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the moon seems to get relatively large during the summer months
2007-02-12 14:48:30 · answer #5 · answered by jdconsultation_101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
V day!
it romatic!
2007-02-12 14:53:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋