Armenian expert says Lunar Perigee non-threateningMarch 16, 2011 - 15:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Lunar Perigee expected on March 19 is a natural phenomenon, posing no threat, according to the director of Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory at Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences. As Hayk Harutyunyan stated, on the average, the phenomenon occurs once in every 18 years. “Previously, it was reported in 1974 and 1992. In 1912, the distance between the moon and the earth came to comprise 356,375 km, as compared to 356,577km expected on March 19,” the expert noted. Lunar Perigee will occur on March 19, 2011 and refers to the fact that this is the closest the moon has ever gotten to the earth in the last 18 years. The actual distance between the moon and the earth on that day will be 356,577 km. Some astronomers are sure that this phenomenon will cause natural disasters as well as climate change. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine |