Tonight's Moon Illusion

Source via the Angry Astronomer



Tonight, the moon will seem especially large;

"The moon illusion, as it's known, is a trick in our minds that makes the moon seem bigger when it's near the horizon. The effect is most pronounced at full moon."

and

"The reason, according to NASA, lies in lunar mechanics: The sun and full moon are like kids on a see-saw; when one is high, the other is low. This week's high solstice sun gives us a low, horizon-hugging moon and a strong, long-lasting version of the illusion."




source; Philip Plait, Bad Astronomy






Read Robert Roy Britt's full story at Space.com
Check your local moon and sun settings at the US Naval observatory site