The moon is pretty darn small. Half a degree wide. Imagine gluing ten grains of sand together, balancing it on a fingertip, then stretching your arm out. Around a degree wide? Depending on your grain of sand, of course.
hmmm, about the size of an asprin tablet or pea at arm's length, seems to agree with somewhat smaller than thumbnail [1]. maybe i should find and measure some sand now :).
in either case, 1/10 the width of the moon is so much easier to comprehend. when is the last time anyone tried holding a grain of sand at arms length? what a weird comparison to make when everyone on earth already has a stable/familiar reference in the sky.
in either case, 1/10 the width of the moon is so much easier to comprehend. when is the last time anyone tried holding a grain of sand at arms length? what a weird comparison to make when everyone on earth already has a stable/familiar reference in the sky.
[1] https://astronomy.com/magazine/stephen-omeara/2010/01/stephe...