What is the distance of the sun and the moon from the earth in light minutes?
The distance of sun and moon from earth varies depending upon their positions in orbit. The sun is at an average distance of about 8.4 light minutes from earth. The moon is at an average distance of 1.38 light seconds (or 0.023 light minutes) from earth. 7.15 Question: Since the passage of the sun over the equater occurs on March 20, 1999, is it correct to say that the exact time of this passage would be at 6:48 pm NY time and 4:48 Salt Lake City time? (March 13, 1999) Answer: Although this question is not about moonsighting, it deals with the beginning of Iranian calendar, for Naurooz. That’s why it is presented here. The sun passes over the equator on two days of the year, Spring Equinox, and Autumn equinox (which occur approximately on March 21, and September 21). On these dates the sun passes over the equator at some instant of time, which is different every year. For this year 1999, it will pass at Mar 21, 01:46am Universal Time (March 20, 20:46 NY time or 18:46 Utah time).
