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Top 10 Lunar Eclipse Facts
By Robert Roy Britt
Senior Science Writer
posted: 07:00 am ET
13 May 2003

10) Eclipse speed limits

During an eclipse, the Moon races through Earth's shadow at about 2,280 mph (1 kilometer per second). This is how fast the Moon is always moving around our planet.

That's an average speed, however. The Moon's orbit is not circular, but rather shaped like an ellipse. Orbital mechanics dictate that the satellite must move faster when closer to Earth and slower when farther away.

Basic Viewer's Guide | Minute-by-Minute Guide | All about the Moon

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