2007-08-31 07:26:06 · 9 answers · asked by banksb1 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If all those people telling us that it is due to lensing effect of the atmosphere would take their digital camera out on the next full moon and take a picture when the moon is just above the horizon, and then before midnight a second shot with the same settings of the same camera - then measure the diameter of the two shots in pixels and compare them, then they would finally learn that the moon has the same apparent diameter at the horizon as it has overhead. It can be proven optically with the camera.
Therefore the impression of the larger size of the moon is an illusion that is done in the human brain. Please don't blame the atmosphere.
If you don’t believe me - please do the test with your digi-cam.
2007-08-31 09:46:42 · answer #1 · answered by Ernst S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not atmospheric. When the moon is near the horizon it seems larger, but this is an optical illusion. Also, the moon actually does look larger or smaller at times because it has a slightly elliptical orbit, so sometimes it's a bit closer to us than at other times.
2007-08-31 07:58:09 · answer #2 · answered by Nature Boy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The atmosphere isn't causing that effect - it's your brain... your eyes see the moon close to the horizon - and close to some very large objects, very far away (like mountains, trees, sky scrapers, whatever...), and because you know how big those things are, the moon appears much larger.
When the moon is directly overhead, it's actually the same size, but now you have no objects far way to compare it to - and, you perceive it to be much smaller.
2007-08-31 09:49:19 · answer #3 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Atmospheric conditions have nothing to do with it. There is a lensing effect low on the horizon but it actually makes things look smaller, not larger. The moon appearing to be bigger is just a trick of the mind. The mind percieves the sky near the horizon as being farther away than the sky overhead. As such, your mind subconciously thinks the moon near the horizon is further away, but because it appears to be the same apparant size as it usually does, the mind believes it must be bigger to appear that size, so you get this sense that it is larger than normal.
2007-08-31 07:40:22 · answer #4 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
If you watch the full moon rising, it looks so huge. That is because its reflected sun light is going through the atmosphere at such an angle that it goes through more air than when it is overhead. The same effect is caused when the atmosphere is very humid; the thicker the air the light goes through, the larger the moon appears.
Conversely, if it is 40 below zero on the old thermometer, it will appear so small and silvery, rather than golden, as above. The stars appear so tiny and twinkly, adding to the feeling of coldness.
2007-08-31 07:36:57 · answer #5 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
trick of the mind for sure. Wanna check? Take pictures of big moons and small moons, they'll appear the same size.
2007-08-31 10:20:17 · answer #6 · answered by Overgun 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a mater of prospective. when the moon is high in the sky it looks smaller. When it is close to the horizen it looks bigger
2007-08-31 07:55:07 · answer #7 · answered by thai4rock 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a lensing effect caused by the earths atmosphere.
2007-08-31 07:43:29 · answer #8 · answered by Efnissien 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
yup, its in your mind.
if you doubt it, check it.
lensing DOES distort the shape a bit.
(the same thing works for planes... they look bigger flying near the horizon, like when landing, than they look above you.)
2007-08-31 07:46:09 · answer #9 · answered by Faesson 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋