Why does the moon look bigger than usual sometimes?

Answer 1

Your question is correctly stated in that the Moon 'looks' bigger. Careful measurements though, would indicate the Moon actually does not appear any larger, it is an optical illusion.

This usually occurs when the Moon is low on the horizon and is close to objects that we are familiar with, like trees, or buildings. As the Moon rises higher in the sky, it gets farther away from these objects and changes your perspective as to its size in relation to the objects on Earth.

Try extending your arm fully toward the Moon when it's low on the horizon and use the width of one of your fingers to measure it. Then do the same thing later as the Moon is overhead. You will see no difference. Many experiments have been done taking pictures of the Moon at the Horizon and overhead . . there was no difference in its size.

And NO, the Earth's atmosphere does not amplify the appearance of the Moon.

There you have it!
Have fun!

Answer 2

undesirable Astronomy: The Moon seems higher on the horizon than overhead because you're comparing it to foreground products. solid astronomy: The Moon does seem higher on the horizon, besides the indisputable fact that that is because of ways we develop into conscious of the sky. what's happening: that is merely about particular you've considered this your self: the completed Moon rises over the horizon, bloated and fat. yet some hours later it really is intense contained in the sky and looks a lot smaller. Why? it really is the well known 'Moon phantasm', and is likewise real for the solar. the most person-pleasant false impression is that that is because you're unconsciously comparing the Moon to foreground products like timber and houses, or perhaps the horizon itself, and that makes the Moon seem higher than even as that is all on my own contained in the sky. This seems to be fake. because it occurs, there are already amazing descriptions of this outcome on the internet. probable the perfect is through Donald Simanek, Professor of Physics at Lock Haven college of Pennsylvania, and yet another very solid one is through Carl Wenning, from the Illinois State college. to boot, you've probable considered that the growing to be or putting Moon seems very pink. it really is an similar reason the sky is blue, and following that link will instruct you why!

Answer 3

Hi.It is an optical allusion.Because when the moon is near the horizon.our brains tell us that we are looking a long way and any object in the sky appears larger to fill that distance I f you look at the moon on the horizon upside down the moon will appear smaller.
Have a look at the link bellow :

http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=120

Answer 4

This question has been asked for so long in history that it has been given a name - The Moon Illusion. Scientific American magazine did an article on it many years ago (or maybe it was Sky and Telescope).

Answer 5

The previous answer is correct. If the moon is low on the horizon you can still cover it with a dime fully extended in your hand, the same when it is high in the sky. Try it, it is purely an illusion.

Answer 6

It is optical illusion that causes the darker moon to look bigger lower in the sky. Sophisticated measurements have shown it is always the same size, but it can look different due to the color defraction.

Answer 7

If it is like the earth around the sun, then the moon has an elliptical orbit and is closer to earth part of its revolution.