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For thousands of years, one scientific puzzle has fascinated and perplexed the greatest philosophers, mathematicians, physicists, and psychologists--why do the moon and sun appear so much larger on the horizon than when high up in the sky? Now, two leading psychologists have provided a compelling account of this fascinating illusion. Taking us through the history, the characters involved, the attempts made to explain the illusion, though to modern day studies of visual perception, the book is the most comprehensive account of this puzzle so far. This is a work that will remain, for some time to come, the definitive book on a mystery that has fascinated and tested the greatest minds throughout the ages.Accessibly written, it will appeal to readers of popular science, along with those within the disciplines of psychology, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy, from undergraduate upwards.
This book investigates the enduring scientific puzzle of why the moon and sun appear significantly larger when viewed on the horizon compared to their appearance at the zenith. The authors, both established psychologists, synthesize historical inquiry, philosophical debate, and contemporary empirical research to construct a comprehensive framework for understanding this visual phenomenon. By examining the evolution of theories from antiquity to the present, they provide a rigorous analysis of the mechanisms governing human size perception.
What You Will Find
Experts and academics recognize this work as a foundational text for those studying the intersection of visual perception and cognitive history. Readers frequently note the clarity of the prose, which makes complex psychological and astronomical concepts accessible to both students and the general public.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2002-09-12
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019850862X
ISBN-13:
9780198508625
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