Does the Moon physically grow larger when it is near the horizon?
No, it is mainly a perceptual illusion
The answer was No, it is mainly a perceptual illusion. Here's the why, the decoys, and the source trail.
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The Moon's apparent size near the horizon is mostly a perceptual illusion; it is not suddenly much larger in the sky.
The Moon's apparent increase in size near the horizon is primarily a perceptual illusion, not a large change in its angular size.
A good question makes the wrong answers feel close. Here is the clean read on the set.
- Yes, because it is closer to Earth - a decoy; it may live near the same topic, but it does not answer this exact clue.
- Yes, because the atmosphere magnifies it - a decoy; it may live near the same topic, but it does not answer this exact clue.
- No, it is mainly a perceptual illusion - correct answer.
- No, because it stops reflecting sunlight - a decoy; it may live near the same topic, but it does not answer this exact clue.
No, it is mainly a perceptual illusion is the one to remember. The Moon's apparent size near the horizon is mostly a perceptual illusion; it is not suddenly much larger in the sky. Photographs can help show that the Moon's angular size changes very little during one night.
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Sources: NASA