The moon was extra large last night!?

Question

Was that exclusive to the West Coast (of the states), or universal?
Also, The moon still floated light, yet large this morning...........the size was striking & peaceful. Just want a scientific point of view. Kindly~

Answer 1

Yes, the moon *was* extra large last night, actually...and it wasn't just an optical illusion caused by it being closer to the horizon or something like that.

Actually, the difference in size isn't very big, but have a look at this:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071025.html

The full moon last night took place within a few hours of perigee, or the point at which the moon is closest to the earth (and therefore appears largest to us) in its eliptical orbit. Last night was, in fact, the largest full moon of the year.

Answer 2

I was noticing how bright the moon was last night as well. I was thinking it was just because the air was so much better these past few days (My local air varies a LOT in humidity and haze because we're a coastal city).

The moon was particularly bright this time because it is nearing its closest approach to the Earth right as it is a full moon. Combine that with my better-than-usual viewing conditions, and I was enjoying looking at it too.

It was so bright that I noticed whenever I'd first look at it, my eyes would have to adjust before I could see the familiar "man in the moon" dark areas.

Some answers have pointed out the usual fact about the optical illusion that the moon looks bigger at the horizon. This is completely true, and combine that with the closeness of the moon to give us a spectacular sight last night.

Thanks for asking, I might not have noticed this interesting fact otherwise.

Answer 3

Yes, it was and I just found out that the Moon was the brightest it has ever been in History. Also every ten years the Moon gets closer and closer to the Earth What does this mean ??? The tides in the Oceans were more active too. The Moon has great effects on Earth forces.

Answer 4

The moon does not change size, it moves a little farther away from earth every day but that is not noticeable. The moon looks larger when objects in the for ground that give it a perspective that gives the illusion that it is larger. It's a cool effect though....

Answer 5

Tonights here in Bama it is really bright that you can see every detail of my neighboor's backyards. Probably because the light off of the earth is blasing on to the moon you can still see it in the morning like I did when my friend and I were walking the track in PE.

Answer 6

It's called the Hunter's Moon, and it did appear larger because it was closer to the Earth than during other times of the year.

Answer 7

Last night was the full hunter moon here on the east coast.

Answer 8

It is thought to look bigger on the horizon. The lens in your eyes are pushed down by gravity when viewed vertically, making the objects appear further away. The moon was crisp and out on the horizon early. It was exceptionally full. =)

Answer 9

It was large here in Fort Worth Texas too

its called the ponzo illusion

Answer 10

It's not universal...it was on the horizon which always makes it look bigger, plus it was full. But I think the southern hemisphere would see something different...or at least further away. Or maybe closer.