Current Moon Viewed from Earth- SkyMarvels.com

THE MOON VIEWED FROM EARTH

Image Credits: NASA/JPL Solar System Simulator developed by: David Seal

FOV: 30° (degrees) Magnification: 1x (naked eye) Location in its Orbit Location in Constellations

L O A D I N G

FOV: 30° (degrees) Magnification: 1x (naked eye)

FOV: 1.1° (degrees) Magnification: 27x

Click on the labels directly above to compare the current apparent size of the Moon to its apparent sizes when it is at its average distance, and at this year's and next year's "minimum" perigees and "maximum" apogees. The terms "minimum" and "maximum" are important here, because the Moon's orbit is highly irregular. The Moon's perigees and apogees during this period—which can be verified with this Lunar Perigee and Apogee Calculator—can vary by more than 13,000 km and 2,400 km respectively! Of course, at the times given, we are seeing the Moon at its least and greatest distances from Earth for the given year, which are consequently when it appears largest and smallest in our skies.

It is no coincidence that the lunar "minimum" perigees and "maximum" apogees occur very near when the Moon is either Full or New. These are the times when the Sun and the Moon are said to be "in syzygy", that is, when the two form nearly a straight line with Earth. At such times the Sun's gravity most strongly pulls the Moon and Earth either toward or away from each other. You can get a good sense of this on our Moon Current Orbital Position, Phase & Distance page.

Of course, the Moon's changing apparent size directly impacts the frequency, type and duration of solar eclipses. You can learn more about this by checking out the Current Apparent Sizes of the Sun and Moon.

And though they appear much smaller in our skies than the Moon, don't forget to also check out the Current Apparent Sizes of the Planets.

Bonus: Moon's Current Position Over Earth

Showing the current lunar position above Earth, the bonus view above therefore also shows the half of Earth which currently has the Moon visible in its sky—weather permitting, of course. If a location is on the half of Earth shown above, the Moon is in its sky as follows. The closer a location is to the view's center, the higher the Moon will be in its sky. Likewise, the closer a location is to the edge of the above globe, then the closer the Moon will be to its hori- zon. And remember—Earth rotates to the east (left to right in the image above). So, generally, (in all places except the polar regions), the Moon is currently rising at the "left edge" of Earth, and setting at its "right edge".

Simulator Image Notes: 1) Field of View is measured horizontally. 2) Eclipse shadows of are not displayed. 3) Light-Travel Time is not included in calculated times. 4) Moon is viewed with its local north "upward", i.e. in the 12:00 midnight direction. 5) Simulator expresses the phase (where applicable) as the absolute value of the phase angle.

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