Shock and mystery of the rare giant Moon illusion still UNSOLVED

The Moon appears usually bigger in size when it’s rising or setting, but the question is why? Nasa says the phenomenon is called the Moon Illusion. But, it is not actually getting any bigger. (Unsplash)

Notably, the Moon illusion is the name of this trick that our brain plays on us. Photographs prove that the Moon is the same width near the horizon as when it's high in the sky, but that's not what we perceive with our eyes. Thus it's an illusion rooted in the way our brains process visual information.  (Unsplash)

Although all about this Moon illusion is known, there's still no satisfying scientific explanation for exactly why we perceive it as such. (Unsplash)

You can prove this Moon illusion theory for yourself in a variety of ways. One such way suggests that you hold up your outstretched index finger next to the Moon. You'll find that your fingernail and the Moon are about the same size.  (Unsplash)

While the other way suggests what is known to be an ironclad way to size-check the Moon is to take a photo when it's near the horizon, and another when it's high in the sky. If you keep your camera zoom settings the same, you'll find that the Moon is the same width, side to side, in both photos. (Unsplash)

Photographers can simulate the Moon illusion by taking pictures of the Moon low on the horizon using a long lens, with buildings, mountains, or trees in the frame. (Unsplash)

So, remember when you see dazzling photos that feature a giant Moon above the landscape, those images are created by zooming in on distant objects near the ground. In other words, the Moon looks bigger in those photos because it's a zoomed-in view. (Unsplash)

Not just in size but there are many different ways in which Moon looks different with its location in the sky. (Unsplash)

The Moon color changes when it is lower in the sky. It tends to have a more yellow or orange hue, compared to when it's high overhead.  (Unsplash)

This effect happens because the Moon's light travels a longer distance through the atmosphere. NASA says, " It seems that our brains don't know that the Moon's distance doesn't change that much no matter where it is in the sky on a given night." (Unsplash)

Shockingly, there is more! NASA says, "NASA astronauts in orbit also see the Moon illusion, and they have no foreground objects to act as distance clues." Even though there is no perfect explanation for the Moon illusion, one thing is for sure, the sight is absolutely breath-taking! (Unsplash)