About the Author

Keagan Chasenski

Contributor

Keagan has always had a connection with wildlife, having been lucky enough to visit Londolozi as a child. After growing up in Johannesburg, he attended boarding school in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands where weekends were spent exploring the reserve and appreciating his surroundings. ...

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17 Comments

on A Bigger Moon In Africa

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Mark Vincent
Explorer

Nice article.

Is there not some contribution from refraction through the atmosphere?

Keagan Chasenski
Contributor

Hi Mark, thank you.
There certainly is some effect from refraction, although this will only have a minimal impact on the moon’s perceived size. Rather refraction will have more of an effect on the colours we see, especially of the sunrise and sunset.

Sally Stevens-Taylor
Digital Ranger

Fascinating. Hadn’t heard of the Ebbinghaus Illusion before now. I just thought it was atmospheric distortion. Thank you! 🤗

Keagan Chasenski
Contributor

Hi Sally, thank you!
That’s an interesting one, and a whole field of study I am definitely no expert on but atmospheric distortion tends to become more of a problem when viewing celestial objects through a lens (like a telescope or camera)

Babs Putar
Explorer

A very informative article (like all the others we receive) and as always, very enjoyable. Thank you for sharing

Keagan Chasenski
Contributor

Hi Babs, thank you.

Chelsea Allard
Master Tracker

I love watching the moon cycle through its phases. I only wish I had a better view of it from where I live so I could watch it rise a little easier. Hope the full moon in Pisces this week doesn’t trip you up. 🌑

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

beautiful photos and very interesting explanations of the moon.It is really fascinating that our brain kind of changes the moon’s size if we see it rising.
Thanks for the article.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Interesting article Keagan, especially the explanation of the Ebbinghaus Illusion. Blogs like this are appreciated and add to our knowledge of the natural world.

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

Ebbinghous Illusion = mind blown!! Great post Keagan!!

Francesca Doria
Master Tracker

I guess that a full moon in Londolozi must be a spectacular and unique view, although it is always a fantastic phenomenon everywhere in the world!

William Paynter
Master Tracker

Good science lesson Keagan, thanks.

Leonie De Young
Master Tracker

A very interesting blog and thank you for sharing. Unfortunately, those of us who live in Toronto, Canada, often miss out on full moons due to clouds – no rain mostly – but clouds. Thanks again.

Barbara Wallace
Senior Digital Ranger

I really enjoyed your post today, thank you! I have never heard of the Ebbinghaus Illusion, that was very interesting. I thought the huge moon on the horizon was distortion. We watch the moon from our house as it sets over the water and shines a path to our window. We are very lucky.

Keagan Chasenski
Contributor

Hi Barbara, it is my pleasure.
You are indeed very lucky in that regard, it’s always a special event to watch the moon rise! My understanding is that the effect of distortion is more noticeable through a lens.

Michael and Terri Klauber
Guest contributor

Keagan, What a great post. We never understood the phenomenon, and you explained it perfectly! Thanks so much!

Valmai Vorster
Master Tracker

Wow Keagan your explanation of the Ebbinghaus illusion is phenomenal. Never could of thought that our minds could be fooling us all this time. I am sure the moon and stars are a spectacular sight there in the open clean air at Londolozi. Thanks for your blog ,very interesting and I am sure a lot of people did not know about Ebbinghaus illusion.

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