Big moon, but your brain's doing the work

Australians will see a large moon on the horizon on Monday night, but it will be their brains doing most of the work to make it look big.

Supermoon

超级月亮将于9月29日星期五升起,正逢传统节日中秋节。 Source: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The moon is the closest it's been to Australia in years, but your brain will be doing most of the work to make it look big.

The moon's elliptical circuit around the earth means it is sometimes closer than other times, and Monday night is the closest it has been in decades.

"My advice is to people is to start looking towards the east where the moon is going to be rising, even before the sun sets," Astronomical Society of Victoria vice-president Perry Vlahos told AAP on Sunday.

"I would say start at least when the sun is setting, but maybe even a little bit earlier."

The moon will be close to the earth, but it will look especially large on the horizon, thanks to the "moon illusion".

The moon looks huge on the horizon because human eyes try to compare it to other things in the way, like trees or buildings.

"It gives us an impression of the moon being enormous compared to those things," Mr Vlahos said.

"In fact the moon is closer when it's in the middle of the sky than when it is on the horizon."

Mr Vlahos said an east-facing beach, tall building or hill would be the best place to view the moon from on Monday afternoon and evening.

"(But) if you miss it (on Monday) night, the next night will be almost just as good," he said.


 

 


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2 min read
Published 14 November 2016 1:00pm
Updated 16 November 2016 10:42am


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