Random picture thread. - Page 54

That is very interesting Ana Rpo. Columbia is a great location.

like many people, i have an odd fascination with the moon.

I am fascinated with the moon as well Wyote. Whilst it is merely a big pile of rock, it is a wonder in the sky.

Here the moon always seem much larger when it is closer to the horizon. Its called the Moon illusion. The percieved size of the moon is dependent upon the context in which it is viewed.

Ever heard of a solar eclipse? well this image of the moon is a lunar eclipse. It gives the idea that the moon is vanishing.

holy crap. i understand the moon illusion, and it does look a bit larger when its closer to the horizon... but those have to be fake, particularly the first picture.

ive seen solar and lunar eclipses. very cool.

This makes the moon seem to be 'in front' of earth's atmosphere. It's an illusion, of course. The moon is really a quarter of a million miles away. The picture is tricky because of its uneven lighting. The sun's elevation angle is only 6 degrees. On the left side of the image, night is falling; on the right side, it's still broad daylight. This gradient of sunlight is the key to the illusion

I think the first moon illusion is fake, but the the others aren't. The website (for the 1st moon illusion) claims it is real however. Its said in June 2005, 'that the full moon this week hangs lower in the sky than any moon since 1987, which will cause the illusion to be extra strong'.

Ladymoon

Quarter moon

if your interested- http://www.netaxs.com/~mhmyers/moon.tn.html

Cracks me up