Submitted by theillini19 t3_11w24zo in space
ledfrisby t1_jcw21ew wrote
Little known fact: the Moon is actually much smaller than Mars. It just looks bigger because it's so much closer. This is known as an optical illusion.
~The more you know~
Kelseycutieee t1_jcw4wlf wrote
i love learning new things every day!
darrellbear t1_jcwbwi0 wrote
Mars is about twice the diameter of the moon, ~4,000 miles vs ~2,000 miles. It appeared about 1/100th the size at the time of the occultation, meaning it was about 200 times farther away, 50 million miles vs a bit less than 1/4 million for the moon. Both objects were also at opposition that night, Dec 7/8, 2022, 180 degrees from the sun in the sky from Earth's point of view. The moon is full at opposition (the very definition of truly full), planets farther from the Sun are basically closest, biggest and brightest during opposition. The Sun, Earth, moon and Mars were all in a straight line in space that night, an event called syzygy.
RooMyLife t1_jcwsd8u wrote
Outdone only by rythyms
Not quite as fun or interesting (or even pertaining to space) as your's
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments