Science World Blog When the Moon Hits your Eye
When the Moon Hits your Eye
Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 16:00) Written by Raymond Nakamura
I developed a particular awareness of the moon while studying seashore barnacles in Japan. In the winter, the lowest tides occurred at night, so I had to head out to the shore by the light of a full moon or the darkness of a new one.
Now that I lead a more urban, domesticated existence, my connection to the moon has waned. My Chinese in-laws, however, just invited my family to dinner for the Moon festival. This coincides with the Harvest Moon, which falls on September 15th this year.
I am always amazed how big the full moon looks when I see it low on the horizon, even though it's all in my head. A father and son scientist team did some experiments to show how people confuse size and distance when they're looking at the moon. Apparently, you can nullify the illusion by closing one eye or looking through a smaller opening. But I usually seem to be driving when this happens so I haven't tried it out on myself.
What are your perceptions of the moon?
Comments
"In most cases, the terrain provides a rich set of cues that enable us to accurately perceive the sizes of objects at different distances, Professor Kaufman added. But apparently such large distances as those to the moon are beyond our brain’s capability."
it's good to know that there are certain things I am naturally not able to grasp so easily. I was going to put it in one of my "to do" list to observe the moon more carefully the next time I was having this illusion. But knowing that it is beyond my brain's capability, I can simply enjoy looking at it.
Thanks!
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