HORIZON EFFECT

The distance from which we view objects can make a substantial difference in how we perceive them.  Above we see examples where 1) a larger and smaller object are viewed equally distant from their "surfaces", and 2) a larger and smaller object are viewed equally distant from their "centers".  In the first case, it is easy to see that any smaller object's center is closer to us than any larger object's.  Moreover, a smaller object subtends less of an angle, so we see more of its "true diameter" than that of a larger object.

The consequence of these factors is called "Horizon Effect," and it determines how large anything looks to us.  For example, although Jupiter actually has a polar diameter 10½ times larger than that of Earth, its "apparent" polar diameter is less than 9½ times larger if we view each body from 350,000 km from its "surface".  Moreover, the closer we get to bodies of disparate sizes, the more Horizon Effect distorts how large they look to us.  In fact, at 100,000 km from their respective "surfaces", Jupiter looks only about 7 times larger in diameter than Earth!

The consequence of these factors is called "Horizon Effect," and it determines how large anything looks to us.  For example, although Jupiter actually has a polar diameter 10½ times larger than that of Earth, its "apparent" polar diameter is less than 9½ times larger if we view each body from 350,000 km from its "surface".  Moreover, the closer we get to bodies of disparate sizes, the more Horizon Effect distorts how large they look to us.  In fact, at 100,000 km from their respective "surfaces", Jupiter looks only about 7 times larger in diameter than Earth!

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