Why does some full moons look bigger than others?

Answer 1

It actually is the same size visually, but there is a visual effect that makes it look bigger or smaller in the sky based on how close it is to the horizon. In the summer, the full moon takes a lower path cross the sky and stays closer to the horizon. When the moon is low, we see it next to other objects like mountains, trees, and buildings which then makes it look bigger in comparison. In the winter, the full moon takes a higher path across the sky, and when it is really high up there is nothing next to it to compare it to except empty sky. This makes the moon look like it is really small. The different paths of the sun and the moon across the sky are both caused by the tilt in the Earth's axis which many scientist think was caused by a protoplanet the size of Mars crashing into the Earth 4 1/2 billion years ago. This collision knocked off a large part of the Earth's outer mantle which then flew into space and became the moon. So, in a way, the moon actually caused the phenomenon that makes itself appear bigger and smaller in the sky at different times of the year.

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Wrong , it is caused by looking at the moon through a lens effect caused by the surface of the earth being enveloped by a layer of moisture/humidity/ that creates a lens effect similar to a contact lenses on a human eye , Looking through that lens EFFECT at variable angles of degree creates different (refractive ,Progressive )visual sizes of perspective pertaining to the actual size of the moon itself,similar to looking through a contact lens at different angles. While looking through your lens straight forward (The thickest portion of the lens ) The image you see will be the largest in aspect. If looking to the right or left the image becomes smaller.

If seeing the moon after a storm it will appear larger because the amount of moisture in the atmosphere is larger thus creating more refraction of the light source available to create the effect that the visual perspective of the moon is larger

Answer 2

There are a couple of things at work here.

First, there's an optical illusion effect that causes things to appear to be larger when they are close to the horizon.

Second, the Moon is in an elliptical orbit; sometimes it is closer than at other times. The "perigee full moon" is actually about 10% bigger than "average".

Answer 3

This is due to an optical illusion. Your brain makes the moon look smaller when it is high in the sky because you have no other points of reference. It looks bigger on the horizon because there are other objects for your eyes to compare it to.

A good way to test this is to get a coin (in the US a quarter would suffice) and put it away from you at arms length next to the moon when it is close to the horizon and the same when it is high in the sky it will be roughly the same size in comparison to the coin. Since we know the coin is always the same size it is logical to say that the moon is too.

Answer 4

This is a "perigee moon", when the full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth.

The Moon's orbit is an ellipse; it is sometimes 10% closer or farther away from earth. But the elliptical orbit of the Moon stays pretty much constant, and does not rotate (much) while the Earth goes around the Sun. So the perigee, or point of closest approach, only corresponds with the full moon once or twice a year.

Visit SpaceWeather.com for more details.

Answer 5

The moon looks bigger than the stars because it is much closer to us than any star is.

Answer 6

The moon is not a star. It's much smaller than any star, but it looks larger than the stars because the stars are much, much farther away.

Answer 7

B/c it is closer to Planet Earth.