Why do are the sun and the moon the same size in the sky? Coincidence?

Question

That seems like an awfully close coincidence. Is there a scientific explanation?

"in the sky" - Not their real actual size, but the "percieved size" from the Earth.

Answer 1

It is a cosmic coincidence, and there IS a scientific explanation. So, your thoughts are correct.

The Moon and Sun appear the same size in the sky because the Earth's distance from the Sun is about 400 times the Moon's distance from the Earth. Combined with the fact that the Sun's diameter is about 400 times the diameter of the Moon, the proportions add up to them appearing to be the same size from our relative position.

Edit: Raymond, is right about the Moon moving away from the Earth, but that would not be the only reason that they appear the same size. The answer is a combination of what both he and I said. As a result of this movement, we will eventually have no more "total" solar eclipses.

Answer 2

Of course it's a coincidence, otherwise some pretend demon would be at work up there. Which do you think is the most likely reason?

The sun happens to have a diameter 400 times bigger than the moon, and the moon also happens to be 400 times closer to earth than the sun is, therefore they both appear to be the same size as seen from the earth, with allowances for not quite circular orbits and atmospheric distortion. That's why solar eclipses are so spectacular: the moon just covers the sun's disk but also lets us see the corona.

It wasn't always this way, however. The moon used to be much closer than it is now, and it is gradually moving away from the earth, slowing down our rotation and making our days longer in the process.

Answer 3

It's a coincidence. The moon's apparent size and the sun's apparent size are just right for the solar corona to be visible during a total solar eclipse--but it is only a coincidence.

Answer 4

Coincidence.

The Moon has been receding from us (and will continue to do so). Presently, it is moving away at 4 cm per year (a little over an inch). Because of tidal braking.

So, in the past, the Moon had a bigger apparent (angular) size than the Sun and, in the future, it will be smaller (in apparent size).

Answer 5

Yes there is a scienticfic explanation. But if your in a specific part of the planet they may always look the same size, but here in north america they dont look the same size at all, the moon looks a lot small a lot of times then the sun. You could be located on a part of the planet where they look the same size because of the position there in at the time, if i were you i would research the moon, because i have seen the moon be very large or go to being very small at all different times in my life, we even had the solar eclipse not long ago, but u could not really see the effects of that here where i live. In the end they just appear to be different sizes because of where they are positioned at that point in time to the location your at on earth.

Answer 6

I answered this question the other day, and it got voted as 'Best'... so I can only offer it again....

The moon is approximately 240,00 miles away, on average.
How cool is it that the Sun is not only 400 times further away, but also 400 times larger than the moon in apparent diameter? (Compared to distance)?
Wow!!!

Answer 7

Because their angular diameters are the same.

The angular diameter of the Sun is about the same as that of the Moon (the diameter is 400 times as large and the distance also.

Answer 8

No coincidence. The sun is many, many times
larger than the moon. But it is many, many times
further away.

Answer 9

1st of all that makes not sense

but they are not the same size at all, one it just closer then the other, have you ever been to school?

Answer 10

because of the preception the sun is further away so it looks small and the moon is closer so it looks bigger and they arent always the same yet because the sun is bigger and further away it looks the same size and a small moon closer get wat i mean lol