Thread: Super Moon! Largest in 20 years
View Single Post
Old 03-19-2011, 10:47 AM   #17
vivaldirules
When's Doughnut Day?
vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.vivaldirules ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
vivaldirules's Avatar
 
Posts: 10,059
Karma: 13675475
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston, TX, US
Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivaldirules View Post
Okay, wikipedia says the average distance is 238,500 or so. So the full moon will be about 15% larger in diameter than average. I'm not sure that's enough for me to notice but I'll take a gander anyway. Thanks, Kenny.
Wait. I took the square of the ratio of the distances. That's wrong. The diameter will be proportional to just the ratio of the distances. (duh! it's called "linear" perspective, doggie.) So the diameter will only be about 7% larger compared to when it is at its average distance. The apparent area will be proportional to the square of the ratio or 14% larger. The physical area will not be any larger but it will be closer so the moon should appear to be 14% brighter. Right? Or have I flunked high school math again?

Anyway, I'm pretty sure now that I won't notice the difference.
Last edited by vivaldirules; 03-19-2011 at 10:49 AM.
vivaldirules is offline   Reply With Quote