How far can the Moon be from Earth at perigee?

The correct answer is that the Moon can be approximately 356,445 km from Earth at perigee. Perigee is the point in the orbit of the Moon where it is closest to Earth. This distance varies slightly due to the elliptical shape of the Moon's orbit. The distance at perigee can range between about 356,500 km to about 363,300 km, with 356,445 km being a common average value reported in scientific literature.

Understanding the nature of the Moon’s orbit is crucial when discussing perigee and apogee. The concept of perigee is essential in understanding the gravitational interactions between the Earth and Moon, and how these distances can affect phenomena such as tides and eclipses. The other options provided, such as 406,712 km or 384,400 km, refer to measurements related to the Moon's average distance or apogee, which are not applicable when discussing perigee specifically. The distance of approximately 500,000 km exceeds any known measurement for the Moon's orbit around Earth.