If the Earth, moon and sun were observed from a distance, the moon would appear to be the size of a tennis ball, the Earth a basketball and the sun a huge fireball 100 feet across. Looking at the sun and moon from the Earth, however, both appear exactly the same size (a total solar eclipse is proof of this). Although the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, it is also 400 times farther away.

We know that our universe is delicately balanced between gravitational forces and orbital speeds. These forces and movements are measurable, predictable and accurate with today’s space age technologies.

For example, the gravitational force of the moon is 16% greater at transit time of the moon than at moonrise or moonset.

At the new and full phases of the moon, the gravitational force is 3 times greater than at the quarter phases. When the moon is at perigee (closest to the earth) once a month, the effect is 38% greater than at apogee (farthest from the earth). Finally, the gravitational force of the sun is 10% greater at perihelion (in July) than at aphelion (in January).