What causes the Moon to appear larger near the horizon?

The Moon appears larger near the horizon due to an optical illusion known as the “Moon illusion.” This phenomenon occurs because our brain perceives the Moon as being farther away when it is near the horizon, comparing it to nearby objects like trees or buildings. Despite appearing larger, the Moon’s size and distance from Earth remain constant. Photographs taken with the same camera settings confirm that the Moon’s size does not change. This illusion highlights the complexities of human perception.