Sun and Moon Coincidence

[xyzzyplugh]

How come that the apparent size of the sun and the moon are Exactly the same? Surely the odds of the one being 400 times further away and the other conveniently being exactly 400 times smaller are phenomenally illogical. What are the chances of this coincidence?

[TheHitMaker]

I don't think that they are exactly the same apparent size - I think the sun appears to be smaller. This means that in an eclipse the moon can completely obscure the sun, although there is a glow that can be seen around the edge. They certainly appear to be of a similar size, but not the same.

[kevinh]

Because of the distance and of the sizes involved. the moon is 1/4 million miles away the sun about 95 million the sun is about 400 times as big as the moon and about 400 times further away.

[sft42]

HAHAHA. You've either stumbled across one of the little teasers that the great creator left for us to wonder about or it's a totally prozaic coincidence. Take your pick and if you ever find out for sure let us know.

[DaveRH]

This is due to the physics of the situation. On average (so throughout it's obital period) the Moon is actually visually the same size as the Sun to the eye - although there are times when it is closer or further away and so does not match the size of the sun (remember that the Moon's orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle). There is a mathematical / physics reason for it which I can't remember I'm afraid, but rest assured that it's not coincidence but is one of 'those things'.