2007-04-09 07:04:52 · 10 answers · asked by muzikally_inclined 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Same reason the sun looks bigger at sunrise or sunset. You are
looking at an optical illusion.
2007-04-09 07:09:48 · answer #1 · answered by ENDURAMAN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is two optical illusions actually. As stated earlier the moon appears larger when it hovers above a building or trees. But when the moon is high in the sky it penetrates a thinner layer of atmosphere and so it appears brighter. Then it is just a shining and featurless disc. When the moon is closer to the horizon more moonlight is filtered out. And when you clearly can make out the moons features it also appears larger.
2007-04-09 10:15:21 · answer #2 · answered by DrAnders_pHd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A simple way to test the correct answers you have already been given by most of the respondents is to do the following:
Take a meter stick and place the zero end just below your eye with the other end aimed at the moon. Now take a quarter or half-dollar coin and place it on top of the meter stick and slide it down the stick until the coin just covers the disk of the moon. Do this at moonrise and again late at night. Make a note where the coin was on the meter stick each time. It should be the same both times!
2007-04-09 07:31:59 · answer #3 · answered by Bruce D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an optical illusion. All things on the horizon appear larger than they really are, even trees, houses, mountains, clouds, and so on. You can make the illusion go away by looking at the horizon upside down. You can bend over or lay down or stand on your head or whatever you find the be the least embarrassing way to see the horizon upside down, and when you do, you will see that everything looks smaller that way.
2007-04-09 07:24:45 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the diffraction of light as the moon is being observed through or atmosphere that is why it appears yellow, versus the observation of the moon overhead where the atmosphere is thinner so it appears white and bright..
2007-04-12 07:18:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My well-known thank you to state this: "does the moon seem better whilst nearer to the horizon or is it basically me?" in a fashion, confident and confident that's barely an optical phantasm. Your concepts compares the moon to trees and homes whilst that's close to the horizon. each human notices this, even if that's barely because you're a human which you alter into responsive to this
2016-10-21 10:52:58 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strictly an optical illusion. You have the horizon as a reference to compare it to so it looks bigger.
2007-04-09 07:07:59 · answer #7 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more atmosphere to penetrate so causes the resolution to appear larger, like placing in object in water and viewing through glass, sometimes the distortion causes it to appear larger
why sometimes can look directly at sun on sunset and doesn't harm your eyes
2007-04-09 07:08:49 · answer #8 · answered by Courageous Capt. Cat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its NOT an illusion.Because of the varying distance,it looks like that.The moon gets farther as it comes overhead.
2007-04-09 08:28:58 · answer #9 · answered by Shemale L 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It doesn't. It's an illusion.
2007-04-09 07:08:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋