Low-Hanging Moon Explained 381
gollum123 wrote to mention a BBC article which explains the low-hanging moon of the past few nights. From the article:"For the past few nights the moon has appeared larger than many people have seen it for almost 20 years. It is the world's largest optical illusion, and one of its most enduring mysteries. The mystery of the Moon Illusion, witnessed by millions of people this week, has puzzled great thinkers for centuries. There is still no agreed on explaination for why the moon appears bigger when it's on the horizon than when it's high in the night sky."
Mr President, Dr. Evil is on the line... (Score:5, Funny)
Good day, gentlemen. As you are no doubt aware, I have perfected a device capable of altering the orbital path of the moon. First of all, I must offer kudos on a most inspired cover story...'illusion' indeed...really, a first rate piece of propagan-da. Of course, you know it cannot last...
You see, gentlemen, things will only get worse...my device, which I've dubbed 'the Lunatrix', will continue destablizing the moon's orbit, drawing it ever closer to our fragile planet. First, abnormally high tidal waves will decimate all costal regions...then, as the tidal influence grows steadily stronger, geological disruptions will occur on a global scale, tearing apart the earth's crust like fresh bread, releasing the liquid-hot mag-ma within. No place on the planet will be safe...civilization as you know it will cease to exist...that is...unless you pay me...
One hundred billion kajillion fafillion dollaaars!!!
<DramaticMusic>
Gentlemen, you have my demands...peace out.
Obvious. (Score:3, Funny)
old news... (Score:5, Funny)
The moon has appeared larger? (Score:4, Funny)
Easy Fix (Score:5, Funny)
Wait a minute.... (Score:5, Funny)
you mean... (Score:5, Funny)
As Robin Williams said: (Score:5, Funny)
There goes the karma.
Re:I didn't think this was a big mystery. (Score:2, Funny)
Dude, you're just begging to have someone mention that you're comparing the moon to your crotch. But I'll let someone else handle that (as it were).
Bah... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I didn't think this was a big mystery. (Score:5, Funny)
That's no moon.
Re:old news... (Score:4, Funny)
The math (Score:4, Funny)
20 % alcohol = 20 Bigger moon 40 & alcohol = thats one BIG moon 90 & alcohol = the size of the moon is no longer a concern of yours. You're somewhere else.
Re:That's some moon. (Score:4, Funny)
Any attack made by you against this post would be a useless gesture, no matter what technical data you have obtained. This post is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use it.
a joke from my mother: (Score:2, Funny)
A blond newlywed was enjoying her honeymoon by staring at the night sky from a Hawaiian mountaintop with her newly betrothed. At one point he asked her which is closer, Texas or the moon.
She thought about it for a moment and then her eyes glittered with a knowing look.
She glanced around dramatically and replied, "Duuuh! Do you *see* Texas?"
-
This joke is intended as humor, no offense to any blondes out there, real or implied.
No blondes were harmed during the creation of this joke.
Re:Easy Fix (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Actually... (Score:5, Funny)
Hey you batard I jus ttried this and no wIc an't seewhatIm typing....
Re:Actually... (Score:4, Funny)
Iris: "Oh... tomhudson posted instructions on Slashdot that were crafted to get less intelligent people to look at the sun. You're smelling their smoking eye sockets".
Blanche: "Oh. I thought that's what was going on, but I wanted to be sure".
Sound FX: [audience laughter from I Love Lucy]
No mystery, (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Umm... maybe because a thicker atmosphere? (Score:3, Funny)
When you hold the dime over your head, the thinner atmosphere (3 ft higher than your head) doesn't magnify it as much.
Now, while holding the dime directly above your head, and watching it carefully, release the dime. You will notice that the dime begins to appears very large as it drops into the thicker atmosphere. This phenomenon is much easier to observe if you use something larger - like, say, a brick.
Re:Actually... (Score:5, Funny)
I don't know much about this whole telescope thing your talking about but the magnifying glass is a great idea. Of course you have to make sure that it's in focus or you wont see the fascinating details involved with the flares. Make sure that you hold the magnifying glass at the correct position so that the focal point of the magnifying glass is directly on your cornea. And ignore the smell.
Re:Wait a minute.... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Actually... (Score:4, Funny)
The other way to make the moon smaller is to turn around, bend over, and look at it between your legs.
Yes, it sounds like a prank but it's not. We actually studied this illusion as part of a course dealing with optics and perception in college.
Re:Actually... (Score:4, Funny)