The summer's first full moon will reach its full phase on Thursday at 4:36pm ET, creating a dramatic illusion as it rises at sunset. This 'Moon Illusion' makes it seem larger when near the horizon due to comparisons with nearby objects. The moon appears orange due to Earth's atmosphere scattering blue light. On Thursday, it is also at its farthest distance from the sun in 2025. The moon's lower path in the sky during summer allows for longer visibility, giving great views even in urban areas.
As the moon hovers near the horizon, the human brain compares it to nearby objects like trees, buildings, or mountains, making it appear far bigger than when it's high overhead in the empty sky.
NASA says the moon typically looks orange or red near the horizon because Earth's thick atmosphere scatters blue light, letting the warmer colors through, the same reason sunsets look red.
Thursday also marks as the moon's farthest distance from the sun in 2025, as it comes just days after Earth hit aphelion, the point in its orbit farthest from the sun.
In summer, the sun takes a high path across the sky during the day. The moon, on the other hand, takes the opposite path at night.
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