The Moon appears larger on the horizon due to the optical illusion called the Moon illusion. When the Moon is close to the horizon, our brain perceives it as larger by comparing it to earthly objects and buildings, while in reality its size remains constant throughout its journey in the sky.
The Moon often appears much larger when it touches the horizon than when it is high in the sky. However, its actual size does not change at all during its nightly journey. This strange phenomenon, called lunar illusion, is simply a quirk of our brain. Essentially, it's because our eye and mind unconsciously compare the Moon with its immediate terrestrial surroundings (trees, houses, mountains). This comparison creates the impression of an imposing Moon. As it rises in altitude, losing all visual reference points to cling to, our brain becomes unable to measure it correctly, and the image suddenly seems much smaller. Thus, we are dealing with a purely cognitive illusion, created by our perceptions, our visual markers, and our natural way of judging distances and sizes.
The atmosphere sometimes affects our view of the Moon, but not as much as one might think. In fact, when moonlight passes through the Earth's atmosphere at the horizon, it encounters more air and undergoes slight refraction, which bends the light rays a little. This creates a tiny distortion, making the Moon appear slightly flattened vertically. It changes its shape, but not really its size. Contrary to popular belief, this refraction phenomenon is not sufficient to explain why we perceive the Moon as so imposing when it rises or sets. The impression of grandeur mainly comes from psychological and visual effects rather than actual optical changes.
When the Moon is close to the horizon, terrestrial objects such as trees, hills, or buildings enter our field of vision. They serve as visual reference points to which the brain compares the size of the Moon. This comparison enhances our perception and creates a contrast effect that makes the Moon appear larger. Conversely, when it is high in the empty sky, we lack precise references, and it therefore seems smaller and more isolated. It's a matter of context; our brain is simply fooled, altering the apparent size of the Moon based on the surrounding environment.
Our brain often judges the size of an object based on its surroundings or visual context. On the horizon, the Moon is close to familiar objects like trees, buildings, or hills, which gives the impression that it is much larger. When it is isolated high in the sky, surrounded only by dark emptiness, it appears less imposing even though its size doesn't actually change. This is a simple cognitive illusion called the visual comparison effect. The brain interprets the Moon on the horizon as being farther away, and since its apparent diameter remains unchanged, it perceives it as naturally larger. It's a bit like when you see a toy car next to a real car: without a frame of reference, it's hard to judge whether an object is big or small; it’s all a matter of context.
The phenomenon of the blood moon, often noticed on the horizon, is not actually due to the color of the moon itself, but rather to the scattering of sunlight in the Earth's atmosphere at that specific moment.
Although the Moon appears bright in our night sky, its surface reflects only about 12% of the sunlight that reaches it. Its perceived brightness primarily comes from the contrast with the surrounding dark sky.
Did you know that observing the Moon near buildings, trees, or mountains enhances the impression that it is larger? Our brain unconsciously makes size comparisons between the celestial body and terrestrial landmarks.
The supermoon, a term that has become quite popular today, refers to a full moon that is at its perigee, meaning the point in its orbit where it is closest to Earth. At this particular moment, it indeed appears larger (about 14%) and brighter (about 30%) than a typical full moon.
The Moon generally appears larger when it rises and sets, as it is close to the horizon. This effect is purely an optical illusion and does not reflect any variation in its actual distance from the Earth at those times.
This orange coloration is primarily caused by the Earth's atmosphere: when the Moon is on the horizon, its light passes through a thicker layer of air, which filters out the bluish colors and predominantly allows only red and orange wavelengths to pass through.
To capture a beautiful photo of the Moon on the horizon, use a telephoto lens to fill the frame. Opt for a tripod to ensure good stability, adjust your exposure settings precisely to avoid overexposure, and try to include terrestrial elements in the background to enhance the visual effect.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, this phenomenon is officially called 'lunar illusion,' and it has been studied since antiquity. Despite extensive research, its complete explanation still involves complex cognitive processes related to human perception."
No, the actual size of the Moon remains constant. The perception of its size when it is on the horizon comes from a visual and cognitive illusion, which particularly depends on perspective and visual context.
0% of respondents passed this quiz completely!
Question 1/5
