2006-08-20 21:51:15 · 5 answers · asked by Mr Thomas D A 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The moon looks much larger near the horizon because its being compaired with the local tree's and mountains and stuff, so compaired to that it looks huge. But you can measure it at moonrise and measure it again when its at its Zenith and you'll find out its the same size
2006-08-20 22:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is an optical illusion that has puzzled many people before you!
When we look at the Moon in the sky, our brain has no reference as to compare with other objects. Our knowledge that it is FAR tricks our brain to "see" it smaller.
When the Moon is close to the horizon, we also see the ground. We know the size of the ground, so we can "scale" the moon. Here again, our brain plays a trick on us, and we tend to make the moon closer to Earth as it is... and we see it bigger!
2006-08-20 22:13:08 · answer #2 · answered by just "JR" 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
moon illusion occurs because the brain interprets the horizon moon as being much farther away than the elevated moon. Thus, the "apparent distance" to the moon -- rather than the real distance -- determines its perceived size.
2006-08-20 22:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by BeStill 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess it is because the atmosphere between the moon and your eye is thicker at the horizon and this makes it work as a magnifying glass.
2006-08-20 22:48:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the earth is a point of reference. When the moon is sitting out there alone in the sky it has no point of reference and so it seems to be more like it really is. After all it is 250,000 miles away.
2006-08-20 21:58:37 · answer #5 · answered by wunderkind 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋