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
Answers saying comparing it to something are wrong. It has nothing to do with comparing it to anything or perspective. It has to do with how much moisture is in the air. When looking towards the horizon, you’re looking through more moisture in the air than if you’re looking straight up. At 10 miles straight up, you have very little moisture that goes up past that. But if you look towards the horizon, you’re looking through so much more moisture maybe 50+ miles which magnifies it greater.
Just like when you put your hand in the water and it looks bigger. More water = bigger magnification. That’s why on very very humid days, the sun/moon are very very large at sunset/sunrise than when it’s very dry out.
Latest Answers