Sometimes when I am driving around at night the moon looks huge like when it is framed by trees or a mountain but at other times looks tiny. Same moon, same night, approximate location but maybe it has something to do with the background.
2006-10-20 11:51:13 · 9 answers · asked by Gib P 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
You answered your own question. It's all about perspective. When the moon is framed by something that you know the approximate size of, your brain compares it to that object and you "see" it in relative size compared to the object. When there is nothing around it your brain interprets it's size differently because it has nothing to compare the moon to. The moon is the same size whether it's by the earth or overhead. You can prove it by holding your finger by it and comparing the size to your finger. Do this both when the moon is near the horizon and when it is overhead. It will be the same both times.
2006-10-20 12:01:35 · answer #1 · answered by Ellen J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it? Or is it that you spot images keen on a telephoto lens close to the horizon with a tree, a house, or something else you are able to relate to? because I somewhat were crusing for decades and previous to the GPS I somewhat were using sextants to locate my position. The sunlight and the polar movie star is maximum used yet now and again the moon is likewise used. It takes truly some calculations yet once you're on the watch in the technique the nighttime, there is no longer a lot else to do. besides, at the same time as there's a correction table for the semi-diameter of the sunlight and the moon in accordance to the examine elevation, it is minimum and not in any respect perceptive to the interest. The moon might want to seem more advantageous at the same time as close to the horizon notwithstanding it isn't. The moon and the sunlight both conceal extra or less 0.5 a level of attitude of view.
2016-12-05 01:26:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it certainly does appear that way, however it is not. The visible moon size is relatively the same all night. What is different is your vantage point and whether or not any local objects are in view with the moon for comparison. Objects give the moon a seemingly larger look as opposed to when the moon is in the sky alone with no surroundings.
2006-10-20 11:59:00 · answer #3 · answered by delujuis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me, it sounds like the horizon thing is correct. Because i moved from Florida to Indiana, and the moon is huge here sometimes! And it is not only my perspective - it is a noticable difference. So i guess that when it's close to the horizon, it looks bigger!
2006-10-20 15:55:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atmostpheric perspective, heat waves, distancing, and air quality.
( Exhausts ) No, it really is visually huge. Then attenuates.
2006-10-20 12:01:37 · answer #5 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when its big its near the horizon .. so optical pollution makes it bigger than normal .. and so the sun .. you can see it big near the horizon while it is raising or at sunset .. but when it raise more and more this pollution become less so you can see it in its normal size .. this pollution affects its color too ..
2006-10-20 12:00:44 · answer #6 · answered by Geo06 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an optical illusion (or combination of illusions).
2006-10-20 12:02:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its because of changes in the atmosphere...
2006-10-20 12:28:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it's big, it's not really the moon, it's my D***!!!!!!
2006-10-20 11:56:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋