Why does the moon sometimes appear larger at the rise of a full moon than at other times?

In trying to think of this from a scientific point of view, I think there are a couple of reasons. I have some scientifically trained people in my corner with whom I'd like to double check my theories, but for now I'll tackle this one from off the cuff.

Is that the correct metaphor? Off the cuff? I mix my metaphors all the time, sometimes to be punny, but sometimes I genuinely don't know what I'm talking about. But I digress.

The moon does not have a geometrically perfect circular orbit around the earth. It's more elliptical, or in the vernacular, wobbly. When the moon is closest to the earth it is at its perigee. In this phase, the ocean or large body of water tides are stronger. If the full moon rises in its perigee while there is a lot of moisture in the air (dew point), the water molecules can magnify the "look" of the moon, kind of like a mirage. Since we mere mortals are looking at it from terra firma at an approximately horizon-level stance, we view it through the maximum amount of water vapor in the air. As the moon rises (that's in a James Taylor song: "Sweet Baby James") and we follow its orbit, the higher we look up the less the water vapor is acting like a lens, rendering our vision of the moon a more realistic size.

The moon is said to be at its apogee when it is farthest from the earth. I have no further comment on that, other than one might expect the tides to be relatively calmer in relation to the waning pull from the moon's orbit, though I do not know if this is true. I do know, however, that apogee and perigee are fun 50-cent party words to throw around and impress people who think that they are better than you. Well, they aren't. I know you are wonderful because you are reading my blog.

So that ends today's lesson on astronomy.