There’s an insane optical illusion that makes a full moon look squished — here’s why it happens

Why does that happen?

It’s actually an optical illusion created by Earth’s atmosphere. The ISS orbits Earth 250 miles above the surface, which is well above the planet’s lower atmosphere.

This crazy trick-of-the-eye happens when the moon and the ISS are on opposite sides of the Earth. The light that bounces off the moon and into the astronauts’ eyes has to first pass through Earth’s atmosphere, which bends the light, distorting the image. Check out this amazing Vine of the same effect:

more…

CrazyNeutrino said:

There’s an insane optical illusion that makes a full moon look squished — here’s why it happens

Why does that happen?

It’s actually an optical illusion created by Earth’s atmosphere. The ISS orbits Earth 250 miles above the surface, which is well above the planet’s lower atmosphere.

This crazy trick-of-the-eye happens when the moon and the ISS are on opposite sides of the Earth. The light that bounces off the moon and into the astronauts’ eyes has to first pass through Earth’s atmosphere, which bends the light, distorting the image. Check out this amazing Vine of the same effect:

more…

Link not working for me.

If I understand what they are saying correctly, I wouldn’t call that an optical illusion. Optical illusions are what happens inside your head, not what happens to the light before it reaches your eye-ball.

CrazyNeutrino said:

There’s an insane optical illusion that makes a full moon look squished — here’s why it happens

Why does that happen?

It’s actually an optical illusion created by Earth’s atmosphere. The ISS orbits Earth 250 miles above the surface, which is well above the planet’s lower atmosphere.

This crazy trick-of-the-eye happens when the moon and the ISS are on opposite sides of the Earth. The light that bounces off the moon and into the astronauts’ eyes has to first pass through Earth’s atmosphere, which bends the light, distorting the image. Check out this amazing Vine of the same effect:

more…

That link doesn’t want to open for me.

works fine in opera.

try these links

Squishy moonrise seen from space!

NASA has released images of the other side of the Moon that we’ve never seen before

Discover – Squishy moonrise seen from space!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/magisstra/5372739290/

Ta Crazy. I agree with the Rev, this is a real optical distortion effect, not an illusion as such.

Um, this “squoosh” happens for earthbound viewers as well, for both the sun and moon and (if you have the right gear) stars and planets.

Bubblecar said:

Ta Crazy. I agree with the Rev, this is a real optical distortion effect, not an illusion as such.

ok,

Bubblecar said:

Ta Crazy. I agree with the Rev, this is a real optical distortion effect, not an illusion as such.

ditto. Looks nice, though, a stronger effect than I would have expected.