The Full Moon is the time when the Moon's illuminated half is facing toward the Earth, light from the sun reflects to Earth from the entire surface of the Moon.
The New Moon is the time when the Moon's illuminated half is facing away from the Earth, no light from the sun is reflected from the surface of the Moon to Earth.
Because the moon's orbit around the earth is elliptical, the moon will appear larger or smaller, depending on it's distance to earth.
When the moon is closer to earth, it appears larger. This is called perigee.
When the moon is farther from earth, it appears smaller. This is called apogee. Click on a year for a list of the Full Moon, New Moon, Perigee, and Apogee dates and times. |
