The Virginian-Pilot
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Today , the moon will be closer to Earth than it’s been in the past 15 years. The actual closest point occurs during the day in Hampton Roads, but the moon will still look bigger and brighter than usual when it rises after sunset.
The full moon will be less than 222,000 miles away. It has not been this close since 1993.
The moon’s orbit around Earth is an ellipse – a flattened circle – and Earth is not in the exact center. As the moon orbits, it comes closer and moves farther away. Extra-close moons happen when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest point to Earth for the month.
When the moon is full, the sun and moon line up to create extra-high spring tides. Because the moon is closer than usual, tides will be higher than usual.
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Moon
When the moon is in the seventh house. And Jupiter aligns with Mars. There will be peace throughout the planets. And love will rule the stars..oh excuse me..5th Dimension moment. lol
anybody else not amazed?
It is now 11:30pm. I looked at the moon when it got dark outside, and I looked at the moon a few times since then. But I'm honestly not amazed. I've seen it bigger than that. It looked really clear though, kinda like HDTV. But I've seen it bigger than it was tonight.
Fishing
Yes and I will be at the CBBT to see if Mr striped bass is paying attention to the moon and tides.
It is correct
The moon is moving away from the earth 3.8 centimeters a year so how can it be at its closest "since 1993?"
That's true but so is the article. The distance varies by 42 kilometers over a month and the 3.8 centimeters is referring to the change in average distance. In today's unusual circumstance, the Sun is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Moon at the same time the Moon hits its closest point to the Earth. The gravity from the Sun influences the Moon's orbit and brings it closer than normal. This has even more impact in Winter because the Earth is also closer to the Sun.
In summary, the Moon is moving away from the Earth but making much larger swings in distance back and forth due to it's elliptical orbit and the Sun's gravity.
Closer than ever before?
Hey Orion, how does the article make people think the moon is "closer than ever before"? It CLEARLY states "Closer than it has been in 15 years".
Makes me want to exclaim
What a marvelous night for a moon dance…
awesome, and humbling
This kind of stuff is extremely interesting, not to mention really kewl when you get to look out and see a "giant moon". All I can say is good thing we don't have a nor'easter happening at the smae time or we'd have a perfect storm happening in Virginia Beach with lots of destruction. It's as humbling to the possibilities, as it is awesome to the eye.
Orion, check the article again, please
The article didn't say the moon was the closest it has ever been. It stated it is the closest it has been since 1993.
still laughing
IMO, the article was factual and well written. Not sure how you can blame the VP or anyone else because you mis-read the article, or didn't understand it. Peace.
Orion
Look at a circle and look at an egg. And orbits are not always perfect.