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The moon illusion revisited.

J H Iavecchia, H P Iavecchia, S N Roscoe

    Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
    |January 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    The moon illusion, where the moon appears larger near the horizon, is linked to how far away we perceive the surrounding landscape. Eye focus (accommodation) measurements strongly correlate with these size judgments.

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    Area of Science:

    • Psychology
    • Vision Science
    • Perceptual Psychology

    Background:

    • The apparent size of celestial objects, like the moon, can vary depending on their position relative to the horizon.
    • The 'moon illusion' describes the phenomenon where the moon appears larger when near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between the perceived distance of background scenery and the apparent size of a simulated horizon moon.
    • To explore the role of oculomotor adjustments, specifically eye accommodation, in mediating the moon illusion.

    Main Methods:

    • Two experiments were conducted measuring the apparent size of a simulated horizon moon against natural vistas.
    • In the second experiment, observers' eye accommodation distances were measured using a laser optometer while viewing various scenes.

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    Main Results:

    • Apparent moon size increased as the visible scene extended farther into the distance.
    • Apparent moon size decreased as the moon rose above the surface texture of the vista.
    • Size judgments of the moon showed a strong correlation (0.89) with measured eye accommodation distances.

    Conclusions:

    • The perceived distance of the surrounding visual environment influences the apparent size of the horizon moon.
    • The findings suggest that the moon illusion may be mediated by the eye's focusing mechanism (accommodation).
    • Oculomotor adjustments play a significant role in the perception of the moon illusion.