During sunrise and during moonrise on full moon nights, why does the sun and moon respectively appear large?

Question

The sun is more or less at the same distance from the earth on the same day so why does the sun appear so large during dawn and why does the moon appear large during moonrise???

Answer 1

It is an illusion. People tend to perceive objects on the horizon as larger than they really are, but you can destroy the illusion by looking at the horizon upside down. Really! I have tried it. And it is not only the Moon, but trees and buildings too. As you tilt your head more and more things on the horizon start to look smaller. I notice that sideways is enough tilt for me to see things on the horizon as noticeable smaller than when looking upright. The usual suggestion is to bend over and look at the horizon between your legs, but that is just to embarrassing for me so I tilt my head sideways until I am looking upside down to one side of my legs and notice the size changing when I am about half Way to being upside down. Try it, it is easy!

Answer 2

The distance from the earth to the moon remains relatively constant. Because the earth follows an elliptical path around the sun, the distance between the sun and the earth will vary. However, the angle at which you observe the moon and sun changes throughout the day. In the morning and evening, regardless of the phase of the moon, the angle of observation is less and as such, you are essentially looking through more atmosphere (i.e., a thicker lense). The atmosphere acts like a magnifying glass, increasing the appearance of the objects in the morning and evening. And, although there is a difference in the thickness of the atmosphere at the equator and at the poles (thicker at the equator), it is the viewing angle that causes perception. I hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

It has to do with the atmosphere. When the sun and moon are near the horizon the light has to pass through a lot more polluted air. This distorts the light and makes it look larger and changes the colour.

Answer 4

no longer except that's shining in my window. ought to you in all likelihood having thoughts about the moon that are purely suggestive? The moon motives the sea tides and the currents yet i do not see the position that ought to influence you. Has this only been when you consider that we set the clocks ahead? when we replace the clocks, both way, it messes with my biorhythms and that i trust both lower than pressure or opt to sleep too a lot.

Answer 5

We see it by looking through more of the earth's atmosphere at moon rise and set; and the earth's atmosphere acts like a magnifying glass.

Answer 6

This question has puzzled astrologists since the beginning. They think it has something to do with spatial relations and how we perceive objects when they are next to the horizon.

Answer 7

It's b/c of references. In the sky you really have nothing to compare it to, but when it is coming up (or going down), you do. It also has something to do with the angle. This is also why they "move faster" closer to the horizon.

Answer 8

it's an optical illusion - seeing them close to the horizon make them look big. if you try and measure them (for instance, by putting them between your fingers) you'll realize they're the same size at all times.