2006-12-23 06:00:51 · 9 answers · asked by jeff h 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When the moon is near the horizon, you mentally compare it to objects near it. When the moon is higher in the sky, there is nothing to compare it with and it appears smaller.
2006-12-23 06:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by jdomanico 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
It "appears" to be larger in size, relative to another object (like, say, your fist at arm's length) that when it is straight above you due to a phenomenon known as "atmospheric refraction", or bending of light through our atmosphere.
If you will look at the link to the NASA photo that I've provided below, it will give you a brief explanation of the occurence as actually viewed from the International Space Station.
Here's what happens:
When the Moon is rising full and on the horizon, hold your arm out straight and measure the Moon's width using your fingers or hand. Then, later, when the Moon is at 90 degrees (straight above your head), measure its apparent size again with your hand or arm again.
You will find that the Moon on the horizon gets exaggerated and even "stretched-out" because the light has a lot more of the atmosphere to travel through to reach your eyes than when it is directly over your head.
The other link will give you some photographic evidence of other types of atmoshperic refraction. I hope I've answered your question.
Just for the record, The Sun also gets refracted on Sunrise and Sunset...
Mack
2006-12-23 07:04:20 · answer #2 · answered by Big Mack 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
refraction from the atmosphere; the atmosphere is thicker to the observer at the horizon where the moons light is tangential. Overhead, the light comes in thru a thinner atmosphere. Same reason that a fish appears bigger when observed from the outside.
2006-12-23 06:10:05 · answer #3 · answered by kellenraid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is an optical illusion. I took a series of photographs once every five minutes of the rising full moon to test this, it remains exactly the same size. Some will claim the earths atmoshpere acts as a magnifying lens, but this is just B.S.
2006-12-23 06:06:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A building or a man seem to be very small when contrasted with a rising moon.
It"s a matter of perspective.
2006-12-23 09:21:01 · answer #5 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont ask questions u already know the answers too
2006-12-23 14:08:10 · answer #6 · answered by Bhaumik P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no not always
if u r veiwing it obliquely only then it does seem so
and not if overhead
2006-12-23 06:06:59 · answer #7 · answered by Abhinav 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on your location
2006-12-23 06:03:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no not always
2006-12-23 06:12:15 · answer #9 · answered by junior 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋