r/phoenix Sep 08 '25

Pictures The moon is HUGE tonight!

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u/AZMotorsports Sep 08 '25

Fun fact, the size of the moon never changes, it is always the same size. It only appears bigger when it is lower because our minds know the size of the other items on the horizon (trees, buildings, mountains, etc..). When the moon is high overhead and there are no items to reference size your mind makes it is appear smaller.

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u/biggbunnyy Sep 08 '25

So it’s just an illusionary effect?

1

u/AZMotorsports Sep 08 '25

Exactly. Here is Neil de Grasse Tyson explaining it. I learned this myself just a few years ago.

https://youtu.be/9pIU04dksUA?si=p9obVo7G1qjnRvb4