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In contrast, the Lunar distance (LD or ), or Earth–Moon characteristic distance, is a unit of measure in astronomy. More technically, it is the semi-major axis of the geocentric lunar orbit . The lunar distance is on average approximately 385,000 km (239,000 mi), or 1.28 light-seconds ; this is roughly 30 times Earth's diameter or 9.5 times ...
In celestial navigation, lunar distance, also called a lunar, is the angular distance between the Moon and another celestial body. The lunar distances method uses this angle and a nautical almanac to calculate Greenwich time if so desired, or by extension any other time. That calculated time can be used in solving a spherical triangle.
Lunar distance LD ≈ 384 402 km. [15] Average distance between the center of Earth and the center of the Moon. astronomical unit au. Defined as 149 597 870 700 m. [16] Approximately the distance between the Earth and Sun. light-year ly ≈ 9 460 730 472 580.8 km. The distance that light travels in a vacuum in one Julian year. [17]
The distance to the Moon can be measured with millimeter precision. [27] The Moon is spiraling away from Earth at a rate of 3.8 cm/year. [24] [42] This rate has been described as anomalously high. [43] The fluid core of the Moon was detected from the effects of core/mantle boundary dissipation. [44]
The time-of-flight of a pulse of laser light to one of the retroreflectors and back gives a measure of the Moon's distance at that time. The first of five retroreflectors that are operational today was taken to the Moon in the Apollo 11 spacecraft in July 1969 and placed in a suitable position on the Moon's surface by Buzz Aldrin . [ 43 ]
At this location the selenographic colongitude at sunrise is defined as 0°. Thus, by the time of the Full Moon the colongitude increases to 90°; at Last Quarter it is 180°, and at the New Moon the colongitude reaches 270°. Note that the Moon is nearly invisible from the Earth at New Moon phase except during a solar eclipse.
Reaching a minimum distance that is 2.6 times the average lunar distance, 2024 ON poses no risk to Earth on its current trajectory, however even a small deviation could have major consequences.
Six were left at six sites on the Moon by three crews of the Apollo program, two by remote landers of the Lunokhod program, and one by the Chandrayaan program. [1] Lunar reflectors have enabled precise measurement of the Earth–Moon distance since 1969 using lunar laser ranging. [2]