Toying with the moon illusion.
We propose that the correct interpretation of the moon illusion is that the zenith moon appears small, not that the horizon moon appears large. This illusion is caused by the visual gap between the observer and the overhead moon. Because of the gap, the observer has no or little optical information about the distance of the moon. This results in empty field myopia where the moon is neurally, although not necessarily cognitively, processed as being at about arm's length. When the moon is seen on the horizon, there usually is optical information about distance. That results in reduced accommodation, and so the moon is processed as at a greater distance. Consistent with the size-distance-invariance hypothesis, the moon is then judged as large. This is a specific example of the more general fact that all distant objects appear small in the absence of a stimulus for accommodation to be distant. This outcome produces the toy illusion.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Optics
- 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
- 4008 Electrical engineering
- 0913 Mechanical Engineering
- 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- 0205 Optical Physics
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Optics
- 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
- 4008 Electrical engineering
- 0913 Mechanical Engineering
- 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- 0205 Optical Physics