How does the moon's distance from Earth vary throughout the year?

The moon's distance from Earth varies throughout the year due to its elliptical orbit around our planet. The moon's orbit is not a perfect circle, so its distance from Earth changes as it moves around us. At its closest point (perigee), the moon is about 225,623 miles away from Earth, while at its furthest point (apogee), it is about 251,097 miles away. This means that the moon's distance from Earth can vary by up to about 25,000 miles throughout the year.

The moon's distance from Earth affects its appearance in the sky. When the moon is closer to Earth, it can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its furthest point. This is known as a supermoon. On the other hand, when the moon is at its furthest point from Earth, it appears smaller and less bright. This is known as a micromoon.