Why is th Rising moon so Big ?

Answer 1

The effect is an optical illusion. You can verify this for yourself
by comparing the size of the Moon when it's on the horizon to that of
a coin held at arm's length. Repeat the measurement when the Moon is
overhead. You will find the angular size unchanged within the
accuracy of the measurement.

In fact two effects contribute to making the Moon slightly *smaller*
on the horizon than overhead. Atmospheric refraction compresses the
apparent vertical diameter of the Moon slightly. A really precise
measurement will reveal that the horizontal diameter is about 1.7%
smaller when the Moon is on the horizon because you are farther from
it by approximately one Earth radius.

The Sun, incidentally, shows the much same effects as the Moon, though
it's a *really* BAD idea to look directly at the Sun without proper
eye protection (NOT ordinary sunglasses). The change in apparent
angular diameter is, of course, less than 0.01% instead of 1.7%
because the Sun is farther away. (See the next entry.)

The probable explanation for this illusion is that the "background"
influences our perception of "foreground" objects. If you've seen the
"Railroad Track Illusion"---in which two blocks of the same size
placed between parallel lines will appear to be different
sizes---you're familiar with the effect. The Moon illusion is simply
the railroad track illusion upside-down. For some reason, the sky
nearer the horizon appears much more distant than the point directly
overhead. The explanation for this apparent difference in distance is
not known, but an informal survey by one of the authors (CJW)
indicates that all people see this distance difference. The
explanation for the Moon illusion is then that when we see the moon
"against" a more "distant" horizon it appears larger than when we see
it "against" a much "closer" one.-

Answer 2

People notice the same effect, whether it is the Moon or Sun, rising or setting. When the darn thing is near the horizon, it looks tremendous. First, it's fairly obvious that the Moon is not any farther away from us when it's higher in the sky. In the few hours it takes for the Moon to go from the horizon to high in the sky, the Moon itself doesn't really go anywhere. Instead, it is the Earth's spin that makes the Moon seem to move at all.

(If you want to get technical, in the six hours it takes for the Moon to appear to move from horizon to its highest point, it will move east in its orbit about three degrees. If the Moon appears high overhead, then you are on the part of the Earth that is closest to the Moon. If the Moon appears on the horizon, you are on a part of the Earth that is a bit farther away. How much farther? Less than an Earth radius; maybe one percent of the total distance to the Moon.)

In fact, the Moon's changing size is just an illusion. Really! If you hold your thumb out at arm's length, you will find that the Moon's apparent diameter is about half the width of your thumbnail, regardless of whether the Moon is low or high. Our lead observer, Adam Block, has a suggestion for the next time you see a giant Moonrise: turn around, bend over, and look at the Moon through your legs. Seeing it upside-down completely destroys the illusion (but be careful who you try this around, as you are sure to leave a lasting impression).

So what is the nature of this illusion? I have heard that there are several answers. Here I would like to describe a common one, which is my favorite. Consider this diagram.

It shows a couple of blocks sitting on some train tracks. If you take a quick glance, the upper block just might look a little bigger than the one below it, even though they are exactly the same size. The upper block's position against the train tracks makes it look like it is farther away than the lower block, so it should appear smaller.

But it doesn't.

Instead it appears the same size. Therefore it must really be a bigger block than the lower one. After reaching this conclusion, your brain makes the appropriate adjustments to your perception, and suddenly the upper block actually looks a bit bigger.

Is it possible, then, that the Moon looks bigger when it is near the horizon because it seems to be farther away than when it is overhead? Near the horizon, the Moon seems at least as far away as all those distant mountains. Overhead... well, there's nothing overhead, except maybe some stars, and we have no reference for how far away those are. It can't be that far, can it? Perhaps a lifetime of living indoors convinces us, on some primative neurological level, that the Moon above our heads really shouldn't be farther away than a light on the ceiling.

If so, then we have our answer. We can't really tell if the Moon is a small, close object or a big, far object. The Moon overhead appears small because we believe it should be close by, and the Moon near the horizon looks big because your brain thinks it is far away..

Answer 3

Its an illusion that happens when your mind tries to make sense of the moon. It does this by trying to compare the moon to the horizon in order to determine size. When high in the sky there is really nothing with which to compare size. Sky divers have something similar to this. After approximately 3000 feet the appearance of the ground in size does not really change until you get very high. Early jumpers used this as a back up as to when you should deploy your chute as the ground would suddenly "blow up" in your face at about 3000 feet. The next time you fly on a jet and set next to the window , you can see this.

Answer 4

Because you are looking at the moon or the sun through a thicker atmosphere.The thicker atmosphere makes it look bigger.
At noon it is the radial thickness of the atmosphere.In the morning or evening moon rays reach you tangentially.The distance is also greater,the difference being slightly more than the radius of the earth.
Near the horizon, the rate of change of thickness of atmosphere for a change of 1 degree in the moon's position,will be much higher than when it is directly above.So the change in the virtual size of the moon is more pronounced when it is near the horizon.

Answer 5

Rays of light originating from the MOON and entering the observers eye are refracted due to the atmosphere.The value of refraction is largest when the MOON is on the observers horizon.The rays from the edge of the disc entering the observers eye get deviated and the edges of the disc appear away from the true position.hence the disc appears larger than its true size. as the moon starts rising the value of refraction starts reducing till it is zero when the moon is on the observers zenith ie overhead. when refraction value starts reducing the size of the disc appears to be reducing.
Maximum size when on the horizon and minimum when on the observers zenith.

Bye, hope satisfactory

Answer 6

The first person to answer is correct. To prove it, take an empty paper towel or toilet paper tube, and look at the moon through it as it's rising. Then look at it through the tube when it's high in the sky. It takes up the same amount of space.

Answer 7

in case you have been to think of of your solar sign as your soul -- your inner character and ability -- and your Moon sign as your heart -- your emotional center -- then you definately could say that your increasing sign is your actual self or the face you present to the international. The solar (to combine) in Virgo (Analytical and serious) you're a component person and don't take issues as an entire, yet separate them into areas, that are heavily examined (analytical and serious). you're inspired by others and do issues for others, somewhat than for your self (passive). you're rather stable at following procedures, and you may properly be a perfectionist. you're a pragmatic person (earth) and you're versatile, with the flexibility to instruct your hand to countless issues. you do not strategies changing from one component to a different, enormously if yet another needs you to (mutable). The Moon (to react to) in Aries (lively and pressing). You tend to react to issues emotionally (water), in spite of the reality that your reaction is speedy, short and quickly forgotten (pressing, cardinal). you experience issues deeply, yet not for long. you will come across new issues to react to (enterprising) and you convey your self out of your very own emotions (lively). there is an honesty approximately this (lively). in case your increasing sign is Scorpio (intense and Secretive) don't be injury if human beings save their distance. it extremely is not out of disgust, yet out of reverent intimidation. You look so intense -- it may be your penetrating gaze or the way you seductively lean against the wall -- no remember in case you recommend to or not! you're dynamically beautiful, and human beings are inexplicably attracted to you. All this perceived sexiness is exciting, yet there's a draw back to finding like a Scorpio -- you may look moody or maybe slightly risky. relish the secret component -- it extremely is exciting to be an enigma! Love & reward Milly

Answer 8

Scientists aren't really sure. Photographs of moons at the horizon and later overehead prove that the camer is not fooled. Hence this is known as the "Moon Illusion".

Learn more here:
http://facstaff.uww.edu/mccreadd/intro9.htm

Answer 9

It is an optical illusion, it isn't really any bigger then. People tend to perceive things near the horizon as larger than they really are. You can make the illusion go away by looking at it upside down.

Answer 10

because of the way it looks closer because you are cool and want to give me more points for best answer