Explain this common observation clearly: If you look out of the window of a fast moving train, the nearby trees, houses etc. seem to move rapidly in a direction opposite to the train’s motion, but the distant objects (hill tops, the Moon, the stars etc.) seem to be stationary. (In fact, since you are aware that you are moving, these distant objects seem to move with you).

Question

Explain this common observation clearly: If you look out of the window of a fast moving train, the nearby trees, houses etc. seem to move rapidly in a direction opposite to the train’s motion, but the distant objects (hill tops, the Moon, the stars etc.) seem to be stationary. (In fact, since you are aware that you are moving, these distant objects seem to move with you).

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Due to the fast movement of the train, the line of sight of the passenger for nearby objects changes rapidly. So, the nearby trees, houses, etc. appear to move fast in the opposite direction. But, in case of distant objects, the line of sight changes very slowly. So, the distant objects like hilltops, moon, stars, etc. seem to be stationary.

NOTE: Line of sight is an imaginary line joining an object to the viewer’s eyes.