Sometimes it's even smaller a few minutes later. And why does it go from yellow to white at times?
2006-12-14 01:59:53 · 11 answers · asked by Vegas_v 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The moon appears bigger when it is closer to the horizon, because there are other objects to compare it to in perspective. A few minutes later, if the moon is rising and is higher in the sky, it will appear smaller. The color is affected by the atmosphere density (which changes based on temperature) and the degree of air pollution also.
2006-12-14 02:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by Kate429 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The moon looks bigger because of distance variations in it's orbit around the earth but the change happens over the course of a month and not minutes. You may be tricked by how close the moon is to the horizon. The moon goes through the same color variations as the sun when it's close to rising or setting. The atmosphere bends the colors and makes it look reddish.
2006-12-14 02:05:41 · answer #2 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The moon, or any other heavenly body, appears larger when it is near the horizon, apparently because you have things to compare it with, like trees, buildings and hills. There is a change in the moon's distance from the earth, but that would not affect your visual perception over a few minutes, hours or days. It'll look whiter when it's high in the sky, because there's less atmosphere to absorb the blue wavelengths - when low in the sky, it's more likely to take on a yellow tinge.
Similar to the sun at sunset and at mid-day.
2006-12-14 02:04:56 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like the other person says, it is a matter of perspective that makes the moon appear larger or smaller. When the moon looks abnormally large (against the horizon) try turning around and bending over so you are looking at it upside down between your legs.
2006-12-14 02:05:20 · answer #4 · answered by Kaedence 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It an illusion caused by the dfreactionof light in the atmosphere. At the horizon, the angle of light hitting your eye is such that it passes through much more air before it hits your eye (its coming at the spot you're on at an angle, instead of straight down)
This may cause it to appear dimmer, and since more detail is viosible, also larger.
Also, when it is high in the sky, we have no trees or buildings to fool our perspective as to its size.
2006-12-14 02:11:27 · answer #5 · answered by chocolahoma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all has to do with the Earth's atmoshperic conditions at the time. The moon will appear different sizes or colors because you are looking at it through the natural filter, or in some cases, magnifying glass of the Earth's atmosphere.
~Kyle
2006-12-14 02:02:49 · answer #6 · answered by Kyleontheweb 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its not, it just looks bigger if its close to the horizon, because you can compare it to things on the ground. If its high in the sky, theres nothing to compare it to and it looks small.
the color change is caused by dust and smoke in the atmosphere. if the moon is low on the horizon, the light travels through more air and therefore more dust, so it looks yellower.
2006-12-14 02:03:33 · answer #7 · answered by Kutekymmee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Points of reference are closer at the moon's position near the horizon...ie trees or buildings. Tiny stars aren't good reference points when the moon is up in the sky.
The moon should be bigger when it is in the sky because it is closer to the Earth than when it is at horizon.
2006-12-14 02:04:17 · answer #8 · answered by thesuper 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Pollution in the air can distort the appearance of the moon's size and colour.
2006-12-14 02:03:41 · answer #9 · answered by Feeling new @ 42 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's because it's closer to Earth sometimes?
2006-12-14 04:01:42 · answer #10 · answered by Halo 07 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋