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The distance between the Earth and the Moon varies from approximately 225,000 miles to 250,000 miles. The Lunar Laser Ranging experiment, set up by Apollo 11 astronauts, uses mirrors on the Moon to accurately measure the distance.
As the Moon orbits the Earth, the distance between these two bodies is constantly changing. At its closest point, it is approximately 225,000 miles (360,000 km) and at its furthest point, it is approximately 250,000 miles (405,000 km). Scientists can keep track of the precise distance between the Earth and the Moon thanks to the Lunar Laser Ranging experiment, set up by the Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969. The Lunar Laser Ranging Retroreflector Array is basically a panel studded with mirrors. It was left on the Moon by Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. It measures the distance between the Earth and the Moon quite simply, but very accurately. Scientists send a laser pulse from Earth to the retroreflector array on the Moon. The mirrors on the array reflect the laser pulse back, providing a very accurate distance measurement. The Lunar Laser Ranging experiment is the only Apollo experiment that continues to provide data from the Moon.
Read more about the Earth and the Moon:
The circumference of the Earth (the distance around the Earth at the equator) is approximately 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
The point where the Moon is closest to the Earth is called the “perigee” and the point where the Moon is farthest from the Earth is called the “apogee”.
