2007-06-05 15:31:18 · 12 answers · asked by kathleen p 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It is an illusion, hold up a measuring device (maybe a coin) and then check it when it is high. It will be the same.
2007-06-05 15:35:09 · answer #1 · answered by seph 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Most of these answers are dead wrong! It's an optical illusion, known as the Moon Illusion. Google it for more information. The Moon is exactly the same size optically whether on the horizon or overhead.
2007-06-05 16:57:05 · answer #2 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The answer given by Richard S is the correct answer. It really is because when low on the horizen we have a chance to compare it to other objects that we know the size of. However after two or three bottles of Shiraz in the evening while sitting in my back garden on a deck lounger I'm of the opinion that there be more n one o 'em. Strangely though when stone cold sober and doing some proper astronomy I only manage to pick one out.....why is that then!
2007-06-06 08:53:54 · answer #3 · answered by Roderic the Red 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"bats_fanfilm" (or whatever) might be technically, optically right. I believe the less scientific - but more real answer is this:
When the moon is on the horizon we are comparing it to the stuff on the horizon. "Oh, it's as wide as that mountain!" When it is overhead we have nothing with which to compare it.
PLEASE, confirm this for yourself. Get a dur-dur (empty toilet paper tube) and look at the moon through it while it is low (and large?) and when it is high above (and smalleer?) I believe with the dur-dur "filter" you'll see the same "one size fits all" moon.
2007-06-05 15:47:40 · answer #4 · answered by Richard S 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
It's called "The Moon Illusion."
http://facstaff.uww.edu/mccreadd/sectionIII.html
2007-06-05 15:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by Toodeemo 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There's more atmosphere between you and the moon when it's on what you see as the horizon, which acts as a giant magnifying glass. The further in the sky the moon rises, there's less atmosphere between you and the moon, making it look smaller or more distant.
2007-06-05 15:34:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Visually, you are looking through more astmosphere when the moon is on the horizon. The atmosphere acts as a magnifying glass and the moon looks enlarged. (More density)
2007-06-05 15:34:54 · answer #7 · answered by huckleberry 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
The light passes through more of the atmosphere at an oblique angle which magnifies it.
2007-06-05 15:34:49 · answer #8 · answered by robertspraguejr 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
because the atmosphere curves around the earth creating a natural magnifing glass effect
2007-06-05 15:39:59 · answer #9 · answered by Tommiecat 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
depends on the moisture content in the atmosphere... it acts like a magnifying glass
ok brianiacs... all versions are theory... we are all wrong
2007-06-05 15:34:38 · answer #10 · answered by pvtstash2000 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋