Why is the Moon bigger when by the horizon than when right above you?

Question

when it is right above you, it is obviously closer to you than if it were closer to the horizon, so y is it smaller?

Answer 1

It's an optical illusion that is created by the moon's proximity to terrestrial objects, such as trees and buildings.

Answer 2

Its an optical illusion.. If you stand with your back to the moon and bend over and look at it through your legs, it will appear the same size any where in the sky.....the reason it looks bigger on the horizon is your perception is being compared to the height of an item in the distance. When it is directly above there is no relation to items like trees, etc. on the horizon...

Answer 3

It's an optical illusion. The moon is the same size (roughly that of a quarter held at arm's length), but it appears bigger due to the visual comparison with other objects on the ground. When it is in the sky, there are no objects with which to make a size comparison.

Now, that's the answer you'll get from any psychology textbook, or wherever, but to me, it's unsatisfying. I still don't understand how just making a size comparison make the object appear larger. Why not smaller?

Answer 4

It's an optical illusion. Just hold a stick at arms length in front of the moon on the horizon and mark the width on the stick. Do it again when the moon is high in the sky. No difference. The reason it looks bigger on the horizon is you have reference points (trees, hills, houses, etc.) When it is high in the night sky, there are no more reference points.

Answer 5

i concur with all the optical illusion answers. never thought to "bend over and look at the moon" before. that's pretty funny!

Answer 6

It gets closer to you when it forms as the horizon.

Answer 7

becouse the earth spins causes its distance