TED-Ed

Andrew Vanden Heuvel: The moon illusion (2013x565)

: 03, 2013

Have you noticed how the full moon looks bigger on the horizon than high overhead? Actually, the two images are exactly the same size -- so why do we perceive them differently? Scientists aren't sure, but there are plenty of intriguing theories. Andrew Vanden Heuvel unravels the details of focus, distance and proportion that contribute to this mystifying optical illusion. [Directed by Kozmonot Animation Studio, narrated by Michelle Snow].