Look up in the sky tonight and you might notice something a little odd.

The Moon isn’t quite as big as it normally appears.

That is because the Moon is at apogee, or the farthest from the Earth in its orbit.  The Moon will be at its current maximum distance of at 8:52 PM DST.  Normally, the Moon’s apogee varies from 404,000 to 406,700 kilometers, this month it is just shy (164 kilometers) from its maximum apogee.

Although the Moon regularly does this cycle once every 28 days or so, this one is interesting because it is a full Moon.  This is the opposite of the so called super Moons that are “15 times larger than normal.”  Not really, but you wouldn’t believe the number of people that believe this when they see it in the checkout stands.

So take a second to look as something small tonight…the Moon.

– Ex astris, scientia –

I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney in Pasadena, California and I am a Rising Star as rated by Super Lawyers Magazine.  As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +

Norman