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Lunar Perigee and Apogee


Illustration indicating the difference between a Supermoon and a Micromoon's distance from Earth.

The difference between apogee and perigee.

The difference in Moon's Distance–from its center–to the center of Earth, at perigee and apogee.


Elliptical Orbit

The Moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, with one side closer to Earth than the other.

As a result, the distance between the Moon and Earth varies throughout the month and the year. On average, the distance is about 382,900 kilometers (238,000 miles) from the Moon's center to the center of Earth.

The point on the Moon's orbit closest to Earth is called the perigee and the point farthest away is the apogee.

Supermoons & Micromoons

Illustrative comparison of a Supermoon and Micromoon.
A Supermoon versus a Micromoon.
A Full Moon looks bigger and brighter when it occurs around perigee and smaller and dimmer at apogee.

The Moon's phase and the date of its approach to its perigee or apogee are not synced. When a Full Moon or New Moon occurs close to the Moon's perigee, it is known as a Supermoon. On the other hand, when a Full Moon or New Moon occurs close to the Moon's apogee, it is known as a Micromoon.


This is not to be confused with the synodic month, which lasts a little longer, and is the time it takes the Moon to orbit once around Earth, from New Moon through all the Moon phases to the next New Moon.

Close to Earth

The Supermoon on November 14, 2016, was the closest a Full Moon has been to Earth since January 26, 1948. The next time a Full Moon is even closer to Earth will be on November 25, 2034 (dates based on UTC time).

Moonrise is the best time to view the Moon, weather permitting, of course. At this time, illusion mixes with reality to make a low-hanging Moon that looks unnaturally large when compared to foreground objects.

Lunar Libration

In addition to its counterclockwise orbit around Earth, the Moon rotates around its axis at a constant speed. Like all celestial objects with elliptical orbits, the Moon's speed varies on its path around the Earth. It speeds up when it is at its perigee and slows down when it is at the apogee. This means that at its perigee, the Moon's orbital speed is faster than its rotational speed.

When the Moon rocks slightly from north to south and wobbles a little from east to west, it is called lunar libration. This motion makes it possible, over time, to see up to 58% of the Moon’s surface from Earth, but only 50% at a time.

Perigean and Apogean Tides

The Full Moon lighting up the ocean.
The Moon's gravitational pull causes tides.
The Moon's gravitational pull causes tides.

The greatest difference between high and low tide is around Full Moon and New Moon, known as spring tides or king tides. During these Moon phases, the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun combine to pull the ocean’s water in the same direction.

Perigean spring tides have around 5 cm (2 inches) larger variation than regular spring tides, while apogean spring tides have around 5 cm (2 inches) smaller variation than normal spring tides.

Natural Disaster Trigger?



Topics: Astronomy, Moon

Next Apogee

May 5, 2018 at 8:35 pm

Distance: 404,457 km / 251,318 mi

Next Perigee

May 17, 2018 at 5:04 pm

Distance: 363,776 km / 226,040 mi

Apogees and Perigees in 2018

Times for Apogee/Perigee can vary by time zone. Dates are based on the local time in Washington DC. Change location


The Moon

  1. What Is a Supermoon?
  2. The Moon Illusion
  3. The Moon Phases
  4. The Moon's Effect on Tides
  5. What Is a Micro Moon?
  6. How Can Full Moon Be in the Daytime?
  7. Is a Blue Moon Blue?
  8. The Moon's Orbit
  9. The Far Side of the Moon
  10. What Is a Black Moon?
  11. What Are Moonbows?
  12. Full Moon Names
  13. Taking pictures of the Moon

Moon index

Moon Distance

The Moon Phases

  1. The Lunar Month
  2. New Moon
  3. Waxing Crescent Moon
  4. First Quarter Moon
  5. Waxing Gibbous Moon
  6. Full Moon
  7. Waning Gibbous Moon
  8. Third Quarter Moon
  9. Waning Crescent Moon

Moon Phases

Moon Phases In Your City

Moonrise & Moonset Times

Eclipse Lookup

Weather Look-Up

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