moon illusion
Low-sky size deception
The moon illusion is the phenomenon whereby the moon appears larger when it's near the horizon than when it's high in the sky, even though its actual size and distance remain constant.
Scientists have proposed various explanations involving the brain's processing of depth cues and the presence of reference objects like trees and buildings near the horizon.
The effect is purely perceptual—photographs confirm the moon's angular size doesn't change with its position in the sky.
- opticalOf vision or light
- brain trickPerceptual deception phenomenon
- supermoonNear-orbit lunar spectacle
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- zenithPoint straight overhead
perception · cognitive bias · distance · reference point · forced perspective · parallax · visual distortion · spatial awareness · night sky · micromoon · moonphase · celestial sphere · visual cues · field of view · depth perception · stargazing · lunarscape · pareidolia