Earth and Moon sizes

VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
Hi

As I approached the moon from Earth I noticed how small it looks compared to when viewing it from earth irl. The viewing earth from the moon, size wise seemed closer to viewing the moon. I was viewing it using VR so it should be closer to life size.

One assumes the stats are all correct so I was wondering what was going on here? Some funny perspective shizzle?

Thanks
 

777Driver

777Driver
andysonofbob said:
Hi

As I approached the moon from Earth I noticed how small it looks compared to when viewing it from earth irl. The viewing earth from the moon, size wise seemed closer to viewing the moon. I was viewing it using VR so it should be closer to life size.

One assumes the stats are all correct so I was wondering what was going on here? Some funny perspective shizzle?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Earth's atmosphere
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
Not in game now, but when you watch the Moon from Earth irl, you're fooled by your brain. You only think it looks bigger.

Don't believe me? Tought so.

2 experiments:
- try to take a picture of the Moon with a regular camera (no zoom or large focal length prime), then look at that picture.
- hold your hand out at arm's length and look at your thumbnail. The (full) moon as seen from Earth is smaller than that. Just go out this evening (we have close to a full Moon now) and check for yourself.

Don't worry though - his illusion is known since the beginning of recorded history (and probably before that), but still not understood.
 

777Driver

777Driver
Ashnak said:
Not in game now, but when you watch the Moon from Earth irl, you're fooled by your brain. You only think it looks bigger.

Don't believe me? Tought so.

2 experiments:
- try to take a picture of the Moon with a regular camera (no zoom or large focal length prime), then look at that picture.
- hold your hand out at arm's length and look at your thumbnail. The (full) moon as seen from Earth is smaller than that. Just go out this evening (we have close to a full Moon now) and check for yourself.

Don't worry though - his illusion is known since the beginning of recorded history (and probably before that), but still not understood.
Click to expand...

Been reading up on that, very interesting. Was always under the impression that the Earth's atmosphere distorts our view of the moon. Out here in the Arabian Gulf, the moon can look absolutely huge some nights when I'm sitting on the beach.
 

VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
Cool!

Just did a Google search (fine! I used Wikipedia) and apparently "The explanation of this illusion is still debated." Blimey!!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_illusion

Obviously we lack the ability to view the moon from inside the atmosphere of earth in game. Maybe it is atmosphere? Frustratingly all shots of the moon from the ISS seem zoomed. Presumably the same goes for the shots of earth from the moon?
 
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