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OverviewFor 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, through to modern day studies of visual perception, the book is the most comprehensive account of this puzzle so far. This is a work which 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. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Helen Ross (, Honorary Reader in Psychology, University of Stirling) , Cornelis Plug (, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of South Africa)Publisher: Oxford University Press Imprint: Oxford University Press Dimensions: Width: 17.50cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 24.80cm Weight: 0.706kg ISBN: 9780198508625ISBN 10: 019850862 Pages: 288 Publication Date: 18 July 2002 Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: To order  Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us. Table of ContentsForeword by Richard Gregory Preface 1: The celestial illusions 2: The real sizes of the moon and sun 3: Perceiving size 4: Measuring the moon illusion 5: Atmospheric refraction 6: Aerial perspectives 7: In the eye of the beholder 8: The vault of the heavens 9: So near and yet so far 10: Sizing up the moon 11: The angle of regard 12: A question of balance 13: Conclusions and conundrums Epilogue Appendix: Summary of scientific developments relating to the moon illusionReviews... very readable ... We have here a good popularization of an interdisciplinary field of science and a glimpse into the fascinating research practice of experimental psychology ... I would recommend this book for students of physics or psychology at college or secondary school. It is also a good addition to classes in history of psychology and supplementary reading for anyone interested in the history of optics or astronomy. The British Journal for the History of Science The authors' style is clear, making the book accessible to newcomers, and the illustrations are excellent. There can be no doubt that this book will remain the standard work in the subject, and it will appeal to readers of all types. Sir Patrick Moore in the Times Higher Education Supplement It will surely be the standard work on the subject for many years to come and we await with interest the outcome of further research into this fascinating subject. Society for the History of Astronomy `... a fascinating foray into the history of the moon illusion... anyone wishing to solve The Mystery of the Moon Illusion should not set out on the journey without absorbing the knowledge within the covers of this book.' Nicholas J. Wade Professor of Visual Psychology University of Dundee `As a person who has worked intermittently on this problem for nearly half a century, I am impressed by the fairness with which Ross and Plug treat competing points of view, as well as by the breadth and the clarity of their work. It is both authoritative and interesting. The authors present the moon illusion as a work in progress, but see it as an essentially unsolved problem. However, I believe it is possible for the readers to detect an emerging but still fuzzy solution as they read the history of the illusion. Perhaps one of the pleasures to be obtained from reading this work is to see if you too can see possible solutions.' Lloyd Kaufman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, New York University `This scholarly book explores a famous illusion of visual space, that has been discussed by philosophers and scientists through millennia of time. Why does the moon look larger low on the horizon than high in the sky? Is this physics, physiology, psychology - or what? There have been perhaps a hundred explanations and no one is quite certain even now - though it does tell us more of mind than matter. This is the record of a journey with expert commentary. The experts on perception will find their pet ideas, at least in embryo form, in antique sources; philosophers will be teased by conflicts of appearance and reality; astronomers will find that they are part of the Universe after all. It is the details that make this book fascinating, as they paint a picture of how we see - and get the Heavens wrong, with our eyes trained for Earthly things.' Richard L. Gregory CBE FRS, Professor of Psychology, University of Bristol ... very readable ... We have here a good popularization of an interdisciplinary field of science and a glimpse into the fascinating research practice of experimental psychology ... I would recommend this book for students of physics or psychology at college or secondary school. It is also a good addition to classes in history of psychology and supplementary reading for anyone interested in the history of optics or astronomy. The British Journal for the History of Science The authors' style is clear, making the book accessible to newcomers, and the illustrations are excellent. There can be no doubt that this book will remain the standard work in the subject, and it will appeal to readers of all types. Sir Patrick Moore in the Times Higher Education Supplement It will surely be the standard work on the subject for many years to come and we await with interest the outcome of further research into this fascinating subject. Society for the History of Astronomy Author InformationTab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |
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