Astronomy Question of the Week 03/12

tfwthom · Mar 11, 2006

Since full Moon is coming up....a Moon question. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

nevers · Mar 11, 2006

That's gotta be a trick question. Who's "Moon" are we talking about? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

tfwthom · Mar 11, 2006

Well...............not really Brad. The trick is to answer it lol. What's your weather like? It's raining here, cold (45 degrees) Chris up in Payson has 15 inches of snow (Elevation: 5200 ft.) and it's still coming down. (28 degrees) The mogollon rim is getting nailed with 2 to 3 feet of snow. Don't think we're going up to Stoneman anytime soon lol. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

thespeculator · Mar 11, 2006

I voted false because it appears larger because of the atmospheric distortion of the light, not because of the angle you're looking at it. Although, I've never tried looking at it while upside-down.

llivinglarge · Mar 11, 2006

What a wonderfully worded question...

nevers · Mar 12, 2006

Well, I voted for "true". I don't think there would be a change related to ones body position. Maybe unless blood rushing to your head would change your vision? Oh wait...maybe it's "false"...hey, I still think it's a loaded question! The weather here is doing just about everything the weather forecasters didn't say it would do. They said it was gonna be the "Storm of the Century"...again! 50% chance of rain and snow in the valley...friday, saturday and sunday. So far, we had a five minute snow shower THURSDAY around noon and a brief spattering of rain yesterday. It's clear now but weather advisories are still in effect. ?*@#^????! There was a light dusting of snow in the western portion of the valley that has a much higher elevation then my part of town. I saw on the news this system dumped some needed rain down your way...hey, maybe the weather forecasters in my area should stoop over and look through their legs. They'd probably see their heads sticking out of their...well...something!

Saiph · Mar 12, 2006

I'm leaning towards true, because the method helps mess up the mechanism for the large moon illusion (which is not an atmospheric effect). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

eosophobiac · Mar 14, 2006

Well if the weather clears like they're saying it will, I'll try this tonight - <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Saiph · Mar 14, 2006

I suggest someplace in the open, like a city park <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> See if you can't get other park-goers to do it as well! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

tfwthom · Mar 14, 2006

Hey we got a 50/50 split so far. Here's a clue.......half of you are wrong! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

eosophobiac · Mar 14, 2006

I'm actually going down on to beach where there's a nice unobstructed view to the east. Should slow traffic a bit! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Saiph · Mar 14, 2006

Just tell me this is one of those "special" french beaches! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

eosophobiac · Mar 15, 2006

Sadly no, it wasn't a French beach. It was the lovely Chesepeake Bay, and it was a bit too chilly last night for any of that! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> But sheepishly I'll admit to trying this and to be quite honest, I did not notice any difference. At first I thought it looked somewhat smaller, but then I thought it was my mind messing with me. Once I consciously thought about it, it looked 'normal'. (I'm starting to think it's a trick question now too!) So... What's the answer? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

tfwthom · Mar 15, 2006

I'll post the answer Sat morning (as usual) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

rogerinnh · Mar 15, 2006

I beleive the answer is False. The reason that we think the Moon near the horizon is large is because we have objects on the horizon to compare it to. The Moon high overhead is s single object with no reference points to give the brain a clue as to its size, so we conceive of it as being smaller. At least that's what I learned in high school.

Saiph · Mar 15, 2006

but the illusion is based upon having easily processed "benchmarks" (trees) for the brain to process and use. By being "upside down" these benchmarks require more processing, and the illusion may be broken. at least, that's a justification for the method. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

tfwthom · Mar 16, 2006

Just got back from our club meeting in Sedona. After the meeting we usually set up a scope or two (or people that just got theirs and need help) and do some observing. So I was playing with the Moon....(a bit of show and tell).....I ain't telling ya the results. lol <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

eosophobiac · Mar 16, 2006

Saturday morning - got it. I'll be here with bells on! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

tfwthom · Mar 16, 2006

I hadn't read the April issue of S&T when I posted this question. If you get S&T on page 43 E. C. Krupp from Griffith Obs talks about the question. If you can't wait till Saturday pick up S&T. Clue on the next question.......(I write these a week or two in advance) it's about Edmond Halley. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Mar 18, 2006

(Total Votes: 11) True 4 (36%) False 7 (63%) Answer.........True The low Moon looks big when seen near familiar objects to give scale for us subconsciously to measure the Moon's size. Gently squeezing the rising Moon between your thumb an forefinger at arm's lenght. It will seem to shrink, then spring back when you release your "pressure" on it. On why it didn't work for eosophobiac: You need familiar objects for scale (trees, houses, etc) for the Moon illusion to work. Since you were at a beach looking over water you didn't have that. Try the "squeezing" one at the beach. Here's a link http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=2194 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

plutocrass · Mar 18, 2006

When the fat old moon in the sky was lowered, turned my back, and stooped over. Summer's thunder time of year, I spied the moon, between my rear. I heard the sounds of ocean in my ears, and squashed the moon between my fingers. -arranged to Pink Floyd's "Fat Old Sun" (for those who have never heard of this guy). When the fat old sun in the sky is falling Summer evenin' birds are calling Summer's thunder time of year The sound of music in my ears Distant bells, new mown grass Smells so sweet By the river holding hands Roll me up and lay me down And if you sit don't make a sound Pick your feet up off the ground And if you hear as the warm night falls The silver sound from a time so strange Sing to me, sing to me When that fat old sun in the sky is falling Summer evenin' birds are calling Children's laughter in my ears The last sunlight disappears And if you sit don't make a sound Pick your feet up off the ground And if you hear as the warm night falls The silver sound from a time so strange Sing to me, sing to me When that fat old sun in the sky is falling it's little more than a gratuitous Pink Floyd reference.

Astronomy Question of the Week 03/12

tfwthom

Guest

nevers

Guest

tfwthom

Guest

thespeculator

Guest

llivinglarge

Guest

nevers

Guest

Saiph

Guest

eosophobiac

Guest

Saiph

Guest

tfwthom

Guest

eosophobiac

Guest

Saiph

Guest

eosophobiac

Guest

tfwthom

Guest

rogerinnh

Guest

Saiph

Guest

tfwthom

Guest

eosophobiac

Guest

tfwthom

Guest

tfwthom

Guest

plutocrass

Guest

Similar threads

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page