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Brightest moon yesterday

Yesterday's full moon was the brightest for the whole year, according to NASA authorities in the US.

A Reuter report from Washington said:

When the Moon is full on Wednesday night it will be just about as close to Earth as it gets in its elliptical orbit, the U.S. space agency said. As a result, it will appear 9 percent wider than normal and shine 20 percent more brightly.

At the far end of its ellipse, called apogee, the moon is 252,700 miles (406,700 km) from Earth. At the closest, the perigee, it is only 221,500 miles (356,400 km) away.

In addition, the Earth at this time of year is closer to the sun on its own elliptical orbit, and therefore the moon is as well, so it has more of the sun's light to reflect, adding to its brightness. 

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