The moon seems really big these days

[Shaun @ Tru6]

For the last year I've been taking pics of the moon, it seems a lot bigger than it used to.

[911 Rod]

Especially when you zoom in on it!

[Scott Douglas]

Did you buy a zoom lens for your Nikon?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Did you buy a zoom lens for your Nikon?

Scott, the Nikon is still packed away, these are just iPhone pics. The first pic there is no zoom, just a point and shoot. Don't you think the moon looks big? Other pics though zoomed to the apartment building, I don't remember the moon ever looking even close to that big. Maybe it's only big in the northeast?

[gacook]

We go through "big moon" periods in the Southeast, as well...don't think it's anything "weird." Likely just where you are in the orbit's rhythm. We have some nights when the moon is HUGE (and orange). My wife loves that.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Scott, the Nikon is still packed away, these are just iPhone pics.

That's what I was afraid of Shaun. Oh well.........

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

That's what I was afraid of Shaun. Oh well.........

That's not fair! I moved into my new shop a year ago and 2 weeks. It still looks like I moved in a month ago.

[Scott Douglas]

I learned a long, long time ago that life is and never has been guaranteed to be 'fair'.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by gacook

We go through "big moon" periods in the Southeast, as well...don't think it's anything "weird." Likely just where you are in the orbit's rhythm. We have some nights when the moon is HUGE (and orange). My wife loves that.

I love them too. Morning moon.

[gacook]

According to Google...

The moon looks bigger sometimes due to the moon illusion, which is a psychological effect where the moon appears larger when near the horizon compared to when it's high in the sky. This illusion happens because our brain compares the moon to familiar objects like trees or buildings on the horizon, making it seem enormous by contrast. When the moon is higher up, there are no reference points, so it appears smaller.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by gacook

According to Google...

The moon looks bigger sometimes due to the moon illusion, which is a psychological effect where the moon appears larger when near the horizon compared to when it's high in the sky. This illusion happens because our brain compares the moon to familiar objects like trees or buildings on the horizon, making it seem enormous by contrast. When the moon is higher up, there are no reference points, so it appears smaller.

Refraction has nothing to do with it?

[Arizona_928]

In which sense?

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Refraction has nothing to do with it?

Refraction actually makes the Moon look SMALLER when it's on the horizon. It crushes the shape vertically, and doesn't affect it horizontally, so the Moon looks smaller and squarish.

[Tobra]

optical illusion

[Tidybuoy]

The "harvest moon" is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, and it appears extra bright and full for several nights because it rises around sunset each evening. Historically, this extra moonlight was crucial for farmers to complete their harvests before winter, giving it a practical and cultural significance.

[dw1]

That the moon looks bigger near the horizon is a well known phenomenon.

An explanation:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-the-moon-look-bigger-near-the-horizon/

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

For the last year I've been taking pics of the moon, it seems a lot bigger than it used to.

....

2 things
1) there is a variance in distance, due to the elliptical orbit, each month of ~25,000 mi, Nov 2025 is a min.
2) when it's near the horizon there is an optical illusion that makes it appear larger.

[stevej37]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/november-supermoon-closest-earth-heres-135801742.html

[Tobra]

It is the second thing, Bill

[wdfifteen]

It’s the effect of the comet and it’s headed our way. We are domed I tell ya!