Thread: why moon looks so much big at horizon

First of all, I have to say I'm neither a astronomer nor a professional professor. I'm just super creative I'm a designer.

I believe the moon looks bigger at horizon not only because of the moon illusion, shape constancy and size constancy, etc... But also the gravity.

One theory about the moon illusion says that when the moon is near the horizon we perceive it to be farther away from us than when it is high in the sky. But since the moon is actually the same size, our minds make it look bigger when it is near the horizon to compensate for the increased distance.

While upon this theory, its the gravity which tricked us to see the bigger boon at horizon. I don't want to explain since I don't think I can explain well, feel free take the idea and make ur own explanation.

Only in the same way that gravity makes us think of vertical distances as being long than the same measured horizontal distance.
By god, hauling scaffold gear up 300 feet by hand is a lot more effort than dragging it 300 feet across the ground.
The mind remembers the effort more than the measured distance.

Originally Posted by mozarc

First of all, I have to say I'm neither a astronomer nor a professional professor. I'm just super creative I'm a designer.

I believe the moon looks bigger at horizon not only because of the moon illusion, shape constancy and size constancy, etc... But also the gravity.

One theory about the moon illusion says that when the moon is near the horizon we perceive it to be farther away from us than when it is high in the sky. But since the moon is actually the same size, our minds make it look bigger when it is near the horizon to compensate for the increased distance.

While upon this theory, its the gravity which tricked us to see the bigger boon at horizon. I don't want to explain since I don't think I can explain well, feel free take the idea and make ur own explanation.

What is the accepted scientific explanation for a starter? Why do you need some other odd-ball explanation?

I will jump at this opportunity to put clarity to a myth.. No. Gravity or it's effects have no part of this question.
~ Just as a Zoom Lens or Telephoto image shortens the distance of field of view.. So as when we see the rising moon.
It looks larger because you have other items of reference. Something to focus your perspective view.
When high in your sky there is nothing to gauge against.. It's called the Moon allusion because it is one...Illusion.

*L*@ dan hunter!!

Thanks astro!!!! Tomorrow starts the Pro-Am!

Originally Posted by astromark

I will jump at this opportunity to put clarity to a myth.. No. Gravity or it's effects have no part of this question.
~ Just as a Zoom Lens or Telephoto image shortens the distance of field of view.. So as when we see the rising moon.
It looks larger because you have other items of reference. Something to focus your perspective view.
When high in your sky there is nothing to gauge against.. It's called the Moon allusion because it is one...Illusion.

Nice Astro Add an illusory like to your collection.

A bit more here for anyone interested. The latter illustration from Reddit is very impressive in its illusory nature. As we observe converging lines of our local geography as we peer towards the horizon, you can see how this illusion is crafted.

Originally Posted by mozarc

I'm just super creative I'm a designer.

I'm sure your future posts will provide even more evidence for this claim.

Originally Posted by astromark

I will jump at this opportunity to put clarity to a myth.. No. Gravity or it's effects have no part of this question.
~ Just as a Zoom Lens or Telephoto image shortens the distance of field of view.. So as when we see the rising moon.
It looks larger because you have other items of reference. Something to focus your perspective view.
When high in your sky there is nothing to gauge against.. It's called the Moon allusion because it is one...Illusion.

well, YES, gravity effect is part of this question, just feel it with your soul

Originally Posted by mozarc

well, YES, gravity effect is part of this question

No it's not.
As has been shown by the replies given.

just feel it with your soul

Not only has "soul" no actual existence (so far as it's discernible), you have yet to show how "soul" is a reliable guide to answering questions about the physical world.

In other words all you're doing here is spouting unscientific crap.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by mozarc

well, YES, gravity effect is part of this question

No it's not.
As has been shown by the replies given.

just feel it with your soul

Not only has "soul" no actual existence (so far as it's discernible), you have yet to show how "soul" is a reliable guide to answering questions about the physical world.

In other words all you're doing here is spouting unscientific crap.

... and to this I add; Talking with local police and of the question of behaiviours at the full moon.. The 'Lunatic fringe.'
Is a simple explanation revealed.. Because they can see.. they play.. Take the bright moonlit night out and 'they' go home to bed.
Sometimes the simple answer IS the right one..

Originally Posted by mozarc

Originally Posted by astromark

I will jump at this opportunity to put clarity to a myth.. No. Gravity or it's effects have no part of this question.
~ Just as a Zoom Lens or Telephoto image shortens the distance of field of view.. So as when we see the rising moon.
It looks larger because you have other items of reference. Something to focus your perspective view.
When high in your sky there is nothing to gauge against.. It's called the Moon allusion because it is one...Illusion.

well, YES, gravity effect is part of this question, just feel it with your soul

You do know this is a science forum, don't you?

Originally Posted by Harold14370

Originally Posted by mozarc

Originally Posted by astromark

I will jump at this opportunity to put clarity to a myth.. No. Gravity or it's effects have no part of this question.
~ Just as a Zoom Lens or Telephoto image shortens the distance of field of view.. So as when we see the rising moon.
It looks larger because you have other items of reference. Something to focus your perspective view.
When high in your sky there is nothing to gauge against.. It's called the Moon allusion because it is one...Illusion.

well, YES, gravity effect is part of this question, just feel it with your soul

You do know this is a science forum, don't you?

You know what, I actually know that
And I also know you are a human, probably..............

I love the full moon.....but sometimes I can't see it.......even when I am on my broom.

Originally Posted by babe

I love the full moon.....but sometimes I can't see it.......even when I am on my broom.

Is that when you are not wearing your pointed hat?

There has been some publicity regarding the 'Super Moon' and that a sentence starting with The Moon is 15% closer than normal.. It troubles me...
'It Is wrong and misleading'..
Over the weekend just finished the Moon was at it's fullest On the Saturday Night at about 11 25 pm..
This 'co en sided' with its perigee so if you had the equipment to measure precisely you might just notice..
For the rest of us NO. It's just another full moon.. It is not un usual. Its happening three times this year.. That's Normal..
For those who want to argue this.. Use the high tide as a measure.. King Tides are Not rare... The position of the Earths Moon is what governs tidal heights..

A full moon.

A-26 Invader!

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

A-26 Invader!

I've heard the A-26 was capable of carrying considerably more weight than that specified...but I'm wary if it could carry a payload of 7.34767309 x 10^22 kilograms.

Originally Posted by astromark

There has been some publicity regarding the 'Super Moon' and that a sentence starting with The Moon is 15% closer than normal.. It troubles me...
'It Is wrong and misleading'..
Over the weekend just finished the Moon was at it's fullest On the Saturday Night at about 11 25 pm..
This 'co en sided' with its perigee so if you had the equipment to measure precisely you might just notice..
For the rest of us NO. It's just another full moon.. It is not un usual. Its happening three times this year.. That's Normal..
For those who want to argue this.. Use the high tide as a measure.. King Tides are Not rare... The position of the Earths Moon is what governs tidal heights..

It is bigger, the moon's orbit is a eclipse, and the super moon is when the moon is at the position of orbit where it is closest to the earth.

Originally Posted by shlunka

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

A-26 Invader!

I've heard the A-26 was capable of carrying considerably more weight than that specified...but I'm wary if it could carry a payload of 7.34767309 x 10^22 kilograms.

And capable of carrying a butt too

Don't feed the troll.

~ To and for..Mozarc. It would seem your comprehension is VERY poor.. If you bothered to read a little BEFORE you commented..
I would not find myself calling you a idiot. Did you read my post at all ? Did you see that word parigee.. Why do you think you need to tell me what I already know and understand better than you.. Are you just looking for a argument..Are you what we call a troll ?

Cosmic!!! Ahahahhahhaha