The Mid-Autumn Moon is the closest moon to the Autumn Equinox. It rises low on the horizon during this time of year, appearing after sunset for several consecutive days.
The Mid-Autumn Moon also showcases a low position in the sky, often appearing deep in hues of yellow, orange, or even a vibrant red.
The Mid-Autumn Moon appears redder due to light passing through the atmosphere.
As the Mid-Autumn Moon rises, its light travels through the atmosphere more than moonlight coming from higher up. The atmospheric particles tend to scatter the lighter blue moonlight more than the red, which we can observe with the naked eye. Thus, the moon appears redder when viewed through the atmosphere. Its colors are most striking at night, especially when the atmosphere is particularly sultry or hazy.
The moon appears larger due to clouds creating an illusion. (Photo: space).
The low-hanging moon also appears larger than usual. This is actually just a moon illusion that tricks the brain’s perception. This phenomenon has been observed since ancient times but still lacks a satisfactory explanation.
One reason for the moon illusion we witness is simply the clouds a few miles away from us, while the clouds on the horizon can be hundreds of miles away. Therefore, we perceive the moon as much larger.
