Lähikuukansa

Lähikuukansa is a Finnish term that translates to "close moon" or "near moon." It refers to the phenomenon where the Moon appears larger in the sky than usual, typically during its full moon phase. This apparent size increase is not due to the Moon actually moving closer to Earth, but rather to its position in its elliptical orbit. When the full moon coincides with the Moon's perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth, it can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its apogee, the farthest point.

While the term "lähikuukansa" is not a scientific astronomical term, it is commonly used in Finnish popular culture and everyday language to describe this visually striking event. It captures the feeling of the Moon being exceptionally close and prominent in the night sky. The actual difference in distance is relatively small in astronomical terms, but the visual effect can be significant enough to be noticed by casual observers.

The perception of the Moon's size can also be influenced by other factors, such as the Moon illusion, where the Moon appears larger when near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky. However, "lähikuukansa" specifically relates to the Moon's orbital position and its proximity to Earth. Understanding this concept helps distinguish between actual changes in distance and perceptual effects.