Science is Cool: Get Ready to Get Mooned!

I still can't wrap my brain entirely around the whole moon illusion. I know that it's true, but I still don't really get it. When the moon is at the horizon, you know how sometimes it looks enormous? And then after it rises to its zenith, it looks teeny-tiny? In reality it is more or less the same size in both places, and we're just seeing an illusion. Why this illusion remains true if you block other items in your field of vision with your hands, framing the moon with your fingers is what I don't get. Anyway, there are some variations in the moon's size, and today is the day it is at its biggest in 20 years. So remember to look to the east tonight, and blow your mind!

Image from source, Raw Story

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“Super moon” to brighten the skies on Saturday

When the full moon rises on Saturday night, it will be bigger and brighter than at any time for almost 20 years -- and that is setting off alarm bells for those who make it their business to warn of impending doom. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Lunar Eclipse Tonight/Morning. . .Don't Forget!

Image from source, Huffington Post

Yeah, this post is only good for a couple more hours. And I already did a Science is Cool post about it. But anyway, at 11:41 pm PST, get your coat on and go stare into the sky. You don't even need one of those ridiculous pinhole, pie plate contraptions!

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Lunar Eclipse Tonight: 2010 Winter Solstice To Coincide With Total Full Moon Eclipse On December 20, 21

Multiple astronomical events are lining up for a rare display of synchronization tonight as a total lunar eclipse overlaps with 2010's winter solstice.


Depending on the location, late night December 20 or early morning December 21, the full moon will be darkened by Earth's shadow as our planet passes between it and the sun. December 21 is also the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, after which the days will begin to grow longer. Coupled with the lunar spectacle, it means we're in for an especially dark eve. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Science is Cool: Lunar Eclipse, Full Moon on Solstice

We've never seen this before. I'm serious, it's been over 400 years!

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Solstice Lunar Eclipse

Image from source, NASA

. . .The luster will be a bit "off" on Dec. 21st, the first day of northern winter, when the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. For 72 minutes of eerie totality, an amber light will play across the snows of North America, throwing landscapes into an unusual state of ruddy shadow. . .

Read more at: NASA

Your Lyin' Eyes: The Full Moon Illusion

Image froms source, Science.NASA.org

I'm a real fan of science, and also of logic. But the "full moon illusion" still eludes me. I just can't wrap my brain around it. This evening, we watched the moon rise over the Las Vegas Valley, and as it often seems when the moon is full, it looked huge. Not E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial huge, just ordinary, non-theatrical magic huge.

I've read about this optical illusion before. They tell you that the moon is always pretty much the same size, no matter where we see it in the sky. They'll tell you it's just your eyes (and your brain) playing tricks on you, and that it's just a perspective thing. You can even try a trick: extend your arm, and you can blot the moon out with your finger tip, no matter where it is in the sky. I've done the trick, and it is true.

But I've also tried to un-trick my brain, and remove the perspective issue by blotting out the landscape with my hands. And the moon still looks huge to me. When the moon is high in the sky--and looks smaller--I've tried to line it up with our roof top, or with trees or lamp posts--and it still looks smaller. I'll defer to the science, but I still don't get it. . .

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Summer Moon Illusion [Editor's note: It ain't just a summer illusion!]

Sometimes you can't believe your eyes. This week is one of those times.
Step outside any evening at sunset and look around. You'll see a giant moon rising in the east. It looks like Earth's moon, round and cratered; the Man in the Moon is in his usual place. But something's wrong. This full moon is strangely inflated. It's huge!

You've just experienced the Moon Illusion.

Sky watchers have known this for thousands of years: moons hanging low in the sky look unnaturally big. Cameras don't see it, but our eyes do. It's a real illusion. . .

Read on at: Science.NASA.org