The 2022 "Minimum Full Moon" appeared in the night sky on the 18th

Which month is the "minimum full moon"? Author: Astronomical popular science comic blogger EasyNight (EN fungus)

Tianjin, 16 Jan (Xinhua) -- On January 18, the sixteenth day of the lunar month, a full moon will appear in the night sky. This round of full moon is somewhat special, it is the last full moon of the lunar calendar, the first full moon in 2022, and the "smallest full moon" in 2022.

The orbit of the moon around the earth is elliptical, in the process of operation, its distance from the earth is far and near, the average distance is about 384,000 kilometers, the farthest is about 406,000 kilometers, the nearest is about 356,000 kilometers, the difference between the two is about 50,000 kilometers, so from the earth, there is a "big moon" and a "small moon".

"In fact, from an astronomical point of view, it is more accurate to call them apogee full moons and perigee full moons." Xiu Lipeng, director of the Tianjin Astronomical Society and an expert in astronomical science popularization, said.

According to astronomical accurate calculations, at 17:00 on January 14, 2022, the moon traveled to the apogee, about 404,930 kilometers from the earth, at which time the apparent diameter of the moon was the smallest; at 7:48 on January 18, the full moon was the moment, at this time, the moon showed the "most round".

Every time the full moon arrives, it's a great opportunity to see the moon. Xiu Lipeng said that about two hours after sunset is the best time to admire the moon. "At sunset on the 18th, a bright moon will rise from the southeast, and since the near-earth position is always obscured, we can wait for two hours until it rises to a certain height before watching." Interested members of the public can choose a place with a wide view and beautiful scenery in advance, the effect is better, and the feeling is better. Xiu Lipeng reminded.

Since the full moon on January 18 is the "minimum full moon" in 2022, when will the "maximum full moon" in 2022 appear? It will appear on July 14.

"In fact, there will be another 'supermoon' in 2022, which is not much different from the annual 'maximum full moon', which occurred on June 14. The reason why the two are almost the same is because on July 14, the moon is about 353,170 kilometers away from the earth, and on June 14, the moon is about 353,340 kilometers away from the earth, and the difference between the two is only 0.017 million kilometers, which is almost negligible. Xiu Lipeng said.

Interestingly, the 2021 "minimum full moon" has just passed, it appeared on December 19, 2021, a month later ushered in the 2022 "minimum full moon", so who is the smaller of the two "minimum full moons"?

"When the 'Minimum Full Moon' occurred in 2021, the Moon was about 405,930 kilometers away from Earth, so it was a little smaller than the 'Minimum Full Moon' in 2022. If a friend with a heart had photographed the 'minimum full moon' in 2021 at that time, he could use the same equipment and the same focal length parameters to shoot it again when the moon was at the same horizon coordinate position. However, because the difference between the two is very small, comparing their size is undoubtedly a test of eyesight. Xiu Lipeng said.

Source: Xinhua News Agency