Has anyone seen the moon lately? Why is it so big and yellow?

Question

Someone told me it was because it was almost a full moon, but I've never seen it that way before. Lately though, around midnight or so, it looks twice as big as usual and a sick yellow color. But then later, sometimes on the same night, it will be small and white again, within half and hour. If you know for sure why, please leave a source. Otherwise, at least give me your best guess.

I've never seen it this yellow until recently.

I don't know why the sun appears red/orange over the horizon.

I'm sure it wasn't my eyes, someone else commented on it, that's how I noticed.

Answer 1

Changes in moon's apparent size during the same night are caused by air pollution.
During Full Moon, as soon as the Sun sets, moon rises over the horizon, because it is opposite to the sun.

Light reflected on moon’s surface travels a longer path across atmosphere when rising or setting; longer than at midnight, because it hits earth almost horizontally. Draw two concentric circles —inner one representing earth, the other atmosphere— and a tangent to earth and you’ll understand.

Nitrogen, oxygen and other molecules scatter light. The longer it travels, the more it is scattered. Blueish tones are easily scattered in all directions; red and yellow wavelengths, not so easily. That’s why you see sky blue during day. When almost all colors but red and yellow have been “diverted”, you see red. That happens to sun’s and moon’s light.

Combine both effects (pollution and moon rise) and you have a big yellow moon. It’s an optical illusion.

Answer 2

The moon is an same because it really is been for billions of years. You take position to be noticing issues otherwise. To the bare eye, the moon can look finished for numerous days in a row, because the changes some days before to three days after the actual finished moon are very mild. the hoop is hardship-loose and is by using ice crystals very severe contained in the ambience. I have considered this dozens of cases. colors except the white/gray you're used to are from air pollution and should be better said if the moon is close to the horizon. not something unusual is occurring.

Answer 3

The apparent size of the moon has to do with where the moon is with respect to the horizon. If the moon is close to the horizon (and trees, buildings and houses) it looks much bigger because your mind associates the size of the moon with another object that is large. When the moon is higher in the sky, you only have the stars and planets (which are MUCH further away and therefore pinpoints of light) to compare it to. It's actually the same size throughout the night. To check this, hold your thumb up with arm stretched out,close one eye and your thumb will just cover up the moon regardless of where it is in the sky.
The moon does "get bigger" because of its distance from the Earth as it orbits.. but that is much harder to see and it happens over the span of a year. As for color-the atmosphere affects that.

Answer 4

It's the same reason the sun appears orange/red over the horizon.

Answer 5

From my understanding, the moon may seem closer, due to position in the universe maybe closer to Earth? As for the yellow, I heard some time ago, it's due to the dust in the air, smog, etc., that makes it appear that way. Hope that helps you. Take care.

Answer 6

Isn't it possible that it is nearer to earth some time than others? Couldn't tell why it would be more yellow though. Sure it isn't your eyes?