Which orbital point for the Moon is farthest from the Earth?

Study for the Geodesy Refresher Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which orbital point for the Moon is farthest from the Earth?

Explanation:
In an orbit around a central body, the farthest distance occurs at apogee. The Moon’s path around Earth is elliptical, so it reaches a closest point (perigee) and a farthest point (apogee). The terms perihelion and aphelion describe distances relative to the Sun, not the Moon’s distance from Earth, so they don’t apply here. Therefore, the Moon is farthest from Earth at apogee (typically about 405,000 km, compared to roughly 363,000 km at perigee).

In an orbit around a central body, the farthest distance occurs at apogee. The Moon’s path around Earth is elliptical, so it reaches a closest point (perigee) and a farthest point (apogee). The terms perihelion and aphelion describe distances relative to the Sun, not the Moon’s distance from Earth, so they don’t apply here. Therefore, the Moon is farthest from Earth at apogee (typically about 405,000 km, compared to roughly 363,000 km at perigee).

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy