Eli5, why does the moon appear larger earlier in the night, when it’s “rising” as opposed to later in the night when it’s higher in the sky?

Question

Eli5, why does the moon appear larger earlier in the night, when it’s “rising” as opposed to later in the night when it’s higher in the sky?

In: Earth Science

Answer 1

When the moon is close to the horizon, atmospheric humidity has a magnifying effect on it’s appearance that decreases as it rises into the sky.

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As the moon is never “really” that much further away from Earth in it’s orbit, it is the larger distance of “atmosphere” you are peering through to see it low in the night sky that causes the “big moon” effect.