Random Sizes of the moon and colors ?

[William516]

Just a quick thought more so for eye candy then anything else but I figured I would throw it out there to the mod community. I know that there are several fixes to the original stock SH3 moon but is there a way to add changes in size and possition of the moon.

for example other then moon phases all i have ever seen is the same stock size moon always about the same height and placement everytime. It would add a touch of realism to see the moon lower to the horizon and also change in size and color.

Just the other night i looked out the window and saw a beautiful large orange moon and thought of this idea.

If there had been a change that im not aware of please point me in the direction of the download. I have tried to tweak the files but with no luck. I dont even see moon listed to be altered in the file names.

Thanks again for the help
Keep up the great work

William
Captain
U-66
"Tiger Shark"

[Pablo]

Hi!

I have observed the moon in SH3 at different altitudes, from just above the horizon to near zenith - you can do this by getting out into the ocean when the moon is above the horizon and then observing it while setting a high time compression value.

WRT to the moon's size, I thought the moon's change in size between zenith and the horizon was an optical illusion, and that the moon's apparent color was due to the effect of pollutants, dust, and other stuff in the atmosphere over land that might not be as prevalent over water. I'm not sure this effect should be modeled in SH3. :hmm:

Pablo

[macstu23]

The moon in SH3 does vary in elevation, and as far as I'm aware, shows the correct phase for the given date.

The moons apparent larger size when close to the equator is as Pablo says, an illusion, partly down to the lens effect caused by our own atmosphere, but also because we have more objects close by to compare it with when viewing it at a low angle. The moon does have an elliptical orbit around the Earth, taking two weeks (obviously) to swing between apogee and perigee but the apparent difference in size is only around 10% over this two week cycle...Barely noticeable from Earth, so I dont see much need to model this in SH3. Nice thought however. Here's a Nasa sequence showing a complete Lunar cycle or 'Lunation';

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap991108.html

I wouldn't mind seeing some shooting stars myself...Increasing in frequency during the correct annual cycles....but I'll keep dreaming.

[Payoff]

Different colors and sizes could be achieved using various moon mods found on this site and placing them in JScones great "SH3 Commander" random folders. You can randomize almost anything using this program.