Motion Illusions

Moving Colorful Circles Illusion

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Moving Colorful Circles Illusion

Check out this fun Moving Colorful Circles Illusion. In the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion, the image is completely static, but the shapes and colors appear to move.

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Moving Colorful Circles Illusion


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What is the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion?

The Moving Colorful Circles Illusion is an example of anomalous motion.

Anomalous motion refers to a visual illusion in which a stationary image appears to move or create an illusion of motion. It involves the perception of motion where there is none or a discrepancy between the actual motion and the perceived motion.

Anomalous motion like shown in the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion can occur due to various factors, including conflicting visual cues, spatial interactions, and our brain’s interpretation of the visual input. Here are a few examples of anomalous motion illusions:

  1. Rotating Snakes Illusion: The Rotating Snakes Illusion is an example of anomalous motion where static images of interlocking rings appear to rotate or move. The perceived motion is an illusion created by the arrangement of the patterns and the interaction of the visual system’s motion-sensitive neurons.
  2. Wagon-Wheel Effect: The Wagon-Wheel Effect occurs when a wheel or rotating object appears to rotate in the opposite direction or at a different speed than it actually is. This effect can be seen in videos or when observing spinning wheels in film or real life.
  3. Motion Aftereffect: The Motion Aftereffect, also known as the waterfall illusion, happens when an individual perceives motion in the opposite direction after prolonged exposure to a moving stimulus. For instance, after staring at a downward-flowing waterfall, a stationary scene might appear to move upward.
  4. Enigma Illusion: The Enigma Illusion involves a grid of squares with alternating dark and light bars. When the grid is stationary, it can create the perception of waves of motion propagating across the grid.

These examples, along with the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion, demonstrate how our visual system can perceive motion that does not correspond to the actual physical motion or lack thereof. Anomalous motion illusions challenge our understanding of how the brain processes visual information and reveal the complex nature of our visual perception.

How Does the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion Work?

The Moving Colorful Circles Illusion is an example of anomalous motion.

Anomalous motion illusions like the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion work by exploiting the processes involved in visual perception, including motion detection and integration of visual cues. Here’s a simplified explanation of how they work:

  1. Motion Detectors: Our visual system contains neurons called motion detectors that are sensitive to changes in visual stimuli over time. These neurons respond to motion in a particular direction and speed.
  2. Motion Integration: The brain integrates information from different motion detectors to determine the perceived motion of an object or scene. This integration helps create a coherent and stable perception of the visual world.
  3. Conflicting Visual Cues: Anomalous motion illusions arise when there are conflicting visual cues that the brain must interpret. These cues can include patterns, colors, contours, or spatial relationships in the visual stimulus.
  4. Neural Adaptation: Prolonged exposure to a particular motion can lead to neural adaptation, where the neurons involved in perceiving that motion become less responsive. This adaptation can create an imbalance in the activity of motion detectors, influencing the perception of subsequent visual stimuli.
  5. Perceptual Biases: The brain’s interpretation of visual input is influenced by biases and expectations based on prior experiences and learned associations. These biases can affect how we perceive motion and contribute to anomalous motion illusions.

Some Similar Illusions

The Moving Colorful Circles Illusion is an example of anomalous motion.

There are numerous related illusions that play with our perception and challenge our understanding of visual processing. Here are a few notable examples in addition to the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion:

  1. Illusory Motion: Illusory motion illusions create the perception of motion where there is none. The most famous example is the motion of a spinning disk that appears to change direction or speed due to the arrangement of patterns, such as the rotating snakes illusion or the spinning dancer illusion.
  2. Size Illusions: Size illusions distort our perception of the size of objects. Examples include the Ebbinghaus illusion, where a central circle appears larger or smaller depending on the size of surrounding circles, and the Ponzo illusion, where two identical lines appear to be different lengths due to the presence of converging lines.
  3. Ames Room Illusion: The Ames room is a distorted room that creates an illusion of size and shape. When viewed from a specific angle, people standing in the room appear to dramatically change in size, with one person seeming much larger or smaller than the other.
  4. Müller-Lyer Illusion: The Müller-Lyer illusion involves two lines of the same length, one with inward-pointing arrowheads and the other with outward-pointing arrowheads. The line with outward arrowheads appears longer, even though they are the same length.
  5. Kanizsa Triangle: The Kanizsa triangle is an illusion where three illusory triangles are perceived even though the actual lines forming the triangles are incomplete or nonexistent. This illusion demonstrates how our brain fills in missing information based on surrounding context.
  6. Necker Cube: The Necker cube is a classic ambiguous figure that can be perceived as a three-dimensional cube that alternates in orientation. It demonstrates the brain’s tendency to interpret ambiguous stimuli by switching between possible interpretations.
  7. Motion Binding: Motion binding illusions involve perceiving motion where individual elements are stationary. Examples include the apparent motion of stationary dots in the kinetic depth effect and the motion of static images in the motion-induced blindness illusion.

These illusions like the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion highlight the complexity of our visual perception and how our brains interpret visual information. They showcase the influence of context, contrast, motion, and other factors on our visual experiences, often leading to surprising and intriguing perceptual phenomena.


References and Resources – Moving Colorful Circles Illusion

In addition to the Moving Colorful Circles Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions

Check Out these Related Illusions

Orange Pulse, Moving Ball, Drifting Heart, Pulsating Colors, Expanding Blac

Moving Colorful Circles Illusion

Expanding Black Illusion

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Expanding Black Illusion

Check out this Expanding Black Illusion. If you stare at the black shape in the middle, it will appear to expand and grow! This Expanding Black Illusion works because of a phenomenon known as lateral inhibition.

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Expanding Black Illusion


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What is the Expanding Black Illusion?

The Expanding Black Illusion works because of a phenomenon known as lateral inhibition.

Lateral inhibition is a neural mechanism that occurs in the sensory systems of many organisms, including humans. It refers to the process by which neighboring sensory cells or neurons inhibit each other’s activity to enhance contrast and sharpen the perception of sensory information.

In the context of vision, lateral inhibition occurs in the retina, specifically in the network of interconnected cells known as the retina’s horizontal cells and amacrine cells. These cells play a role in processing visual information before it is transmitted to the brain.

When light enters the retina, it stimulates photoreceptor cells called rods and cones. The activated photoreceptors transmit signals to neighboring cells, including bipolar cells, which then transmit the signals to ganglion cells that form the optic nerve. However, lateral inhibition occurs before this transmission.

Horizontal cells in the retina receive input from multiple photoreceptors, while amacrine cells receive input from bipolar cells. Through lateral inhibition, these horizontal and amacrine cells inhibit the activity of neighboring cells, specifically those receiving weaker or less intense signals.

This lateral inhibition mechanism enhances the perception of contrast by suppressing the activity of cells that receive less intense stimulation while allowing cells that receive stronger stimulation to transmit their signals more effectively. This leads to an increased difference in activity levels between neighboring cells, enhancing the perception of edges and boundaries in the visual scene.

Lateral inhibition plays a crucial role in visual processing and is one of the mechanisms that contribute to our ability to perceive and distinguish fine details and contrasts in the visual world and is why the Expanding Black illusion works.

How Does the Expanding Black Illusion Work?

The Expanding Black Illusion works because of a phenomenon known as lateral inhibition.

Lateral inhibition works through a series of interactions between interconnected cells in the sensory system. Here’s a simplified explanation of how it works in the context of vision and examples like the Expanding Black Illusion:

  1. Photoreceptor Stimulation: When light enters the eye, it stimulates the photoreceptor cells in the retina—specifically, the rods and cones.
  2. Signal Transmission: Activated photoreceptor cells transmit signals to neighboring bipolar cells. Bipolar cells serve as an intermediary between the photoreceptors and ganglion cells, which send signals to the brain.
  3. Horizontal Cell Interaction: Horizontal cells in the retina receive input from multiple neighboring photoreceptor cells. These horizontal cells perform lateral inhibition by inhibiting the activity of neighboring cells.
  4. Inhibition of Weaker Signals: Horizontal cells inhibit the activity of neighboring cells that receive weaker or less intense signals. This inhibition reduces the activity of those cells, making their signal less prominent.
  5. Enhancement of Stronger Signals: At the same time, the inhibition of weaker signals allows cells that receive stronger stimulation to transmit their signals more effectively. This enhancement increases the contrast between neighboring cells with stronger signals.
  6. Output to Ganglion Cells: The bipolar cells, which have received inputs from photoreceptors and lateral inhibition from horizontal cells, transmit their modified signals to the ganglion cells.
  7. Perception of Contrast: The enhanced contrast between neighboring cells is transmitted to the brain via the ganglion cells, contributing to the perception of edges, boundaries, and fine details in the visual scene.

By suppressing the activity of neighboring cells with weaker signals and enhancing the activity of cells with stronger signals, lateral inhibition enhances the perception of contrast and sharpens the representation of visual information. It helps our visual system better distinguish between light and dark areas, enhancing our ability to perceive edges, textures, and fine details in the visual world.

Some Similar Illusions

The Expanding Black Illusion works because of a phenomenon known as lateral inhibition.

Lateral inhibition plays a role in various visual illusions like the the Expanding Black Illusion that exploit the contrast enhancement and edge detection mechanisms in our visual system. Here are a few examples of illusions related to lateral inhibition like the Expanding Black Illusion:

  1. Mach Bands: Mach bands are an optical illusion characterized by the perception of light and dark bands at the boundaries between adjacent regions of different intensities. These bands are more pronounced than the actual contrast difference, resulting from lateral inhibition enhancing the perception of contrast.
  2. Hermann Grid Illusion: In the Hermann grid illusion, gray dots appear at the intersections of a black grid on a white background. However, when fixating on a specific intersection, the dot seems to disappear due to lateral inhibition and the way our visual system processes the surrounding visual information.
  3. Simultaneous Contrast Illusion: Simultaneous contrast illusions occur when the perceived brightness or color of an object is influenced by the surrounding context. For example, placing a gray patch on a dark background makes it appear lighter, while the same gray patch on a light background appears darker. This illusion is a result of lateral inhibition amplifying the contrast between the object and its background.
  4. Craik-O’Brien-Cornsweet Illusion: In this illusion, a gradient of color or brightness appears to change abruptly at a boundary where there is no physical change. The perception of the boundary is enhanced due to lateral inhibition, creating a strong contrast where none actually exists.
  5. Mach Dichromacy Illusion: In this illusion, a figure composed of two colors appears to be monochromatic when viewed through a small aperture. Lateral inhibition and the selective processing of color information contribute to this illusion, as the brain selectively interprets the inputs from different regions.

These illusions demonstrate how lateral inhibition affects our perception of contrast, brightness, color, and boundaries in visual stimuli. By exploiting these mechanisms, these illusions challenge our perception and highlight the complex processes involved in visual processing.


References and Resources – Expanding Black Illusion

In addition to the the Expanding Black Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions

Check Out these Related Illusions

Orange Pulse, Moving Ball, Drifting Heart, Pulsating Colors

Expanding Black Illusion

Pulsating Colors Illusion

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Pulsating Colors Illusion

Check out this cool Pulsating Colors Illusion. This Pulsating Colors Illusion is an example of a pulsating illusion where a a stationary image or pattern appears to pulsate or expand and contract.

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Pulsating Colors Illusion


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What is the Pulsating Colors Illusion?

The Pulsating Colors Illusion is an example of a pulsating illusion.

Pulsating illusions are visual phenomena in which a stationary image or pattern appears to pulsate or vibrate in an apparent expansion and contraction motion. These illusions create the perception of rhythmic changes in the size, brightness, or intensity of the visual stimulus, even though the stimulus itself is static.

Here are a few examples of pulsating illusions like the Pulsating Colors Illusion:

  1. Peripheral Pulsation: This illusion occurs when a high-contrast pattern or image, such as a black and white checkerboard or concentric circles, appears to pulsate or expand and contract at the periphery of our visual field. The edges of the pattern seem to pulsate in an alternating manner, creating an impression of motion.
  2. Troxler’s Fading: Troxler’s fading is a phenomenon in which a stationary object disappears or fades from our perception when we fixate our gaze on it for a prolonged period. As we focus on a central point, the surrounding visual stimuli, such as the edges or background, can appear to pulsate, fade, or disappear.
  3. Mach Bands: Mach bands are an optical illusion that involves the perception of alternating bands of brightness or darkness along the edges of a gradient or transition in luminance. These bands can appear to pulsate or intensify, creating the illusion of sharp, exaggerated contrast.
  4. Hermann Grid Illusion: The Hermann grid illusion features a grid of black squares on a white background with small white dots at the intersections. When viewing the grid, the dots may appear to pulsate or flicker due to the interaction between neighboring squares and the process of lateral inhibition in our visual system.
  5. Scintillating Grid Illusion: The scintillating grid illusion consists of an array of white or light-colored dots arranged on a grid pattern on a dark background. When fixating on a specific intersection, the dots surrounding the fixation point may appear to pulsate or scintillate.

Pulsating illusions are thought to arise from interactions between different neural processes involved in contrast perception, lateral inhibition, and adaptation in our visual system. They highlight the dynamic nature of visual perception and how our brain processes and interprets visual information, leading to perceptual experiences of pulsating or rhythmic motion in static stimuli.

How Does the Pulsating Colors Illusion Work?

The Pulsating Colors Illusion is an example of a pulsating illusion.

Pulsating illusions like the Pulsating Colors Illusion work by exploiting various mechanisms and processes within our visual system. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, there are several theories that help explain how these illusions work. Here are a few possible explanations:

  1. Lateral Inhibition: Pulsating illusions, such as the peripheral pulsation or Mach bands, are thought to involve lateral inhibition, which is a fundamental process in our visual system. Lateral inhibition occurs when neurons in the visual system inhibit the activity of neighboring neurons, enhancing the contrast and edge detection. In the presence of high-contrast patterns or gradients, this lateral inhibition can lead to the perception of pulsating or oscillating brightness or intensity along the edges.
  2. Adaptation and Contrast: Adaptation plays a role in pulsating illusions as well. Prolonged exposure to a visual stimulus can lead to adaptation, where neurons in the visual system become less responsive to the stimulus. When viewing the static pattern after adaptation, the perception of pulsation or fluctuation arises as the neurons recover from the adaptation state and regain their sensitivity. This recovery process creates a perceptual experience of rhythmic changes in size, brightness, or intensity.
  3. Neural Resonance: Some theories propose that pulsating illusions may involve neural resonance, where specific frequencies or spatial patterns of neural activity in the visual system resonate with certain characteristics of the visual stimuli. This resonance could result in oscillatory or pulsating perceptual experiences.
  4. Attention and Eye Movements: Attention and eye movements can also influence pulsating illusions. Shifting attention or making small eye movements can affect the perception of the illusion, potentially amplifying or diminishing the pulsating effect.

These explanations suggest that pulsating illusions like the Pulsating Colors Illusion arise from interactions between neural processes related to contrast perception, lateral inhibition, adaptation, and attention within our visual system. These processes contribute to the perception of rhythmic changes in the stimuli, even when the stimuli themselves are static. However, research in this area is ongoing, and further studies are needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of pulsating illusions.

Some Similar Illusions

The Pulsating Colors Illusion is an example of a pulsating illusion.

There are several illusions that share similarities with pulsating illusions in terms of their effects on visual perception. Here are a few examples of similar illusions to the Pulsating Colors Illusion:

  1. Flicker Illusion: The flicker illusion involves the perception of flickering or pulsating motion in a static image or pattern. It occurs when different parts of an image or pattern are alternated rapidly, creating an illusion of movement or pulsation.
  2. Flashed Face Distortion Effect: This illusion occurs when two aligned faces are presented alternately with a rapid flashing pattern. The faces appear to distort and pulsate, with exaggerated facial features and a sense of movement.
  3. Phantom Illusion: The phantom illusion is characterized by the perception of a moving object in the absence of actual motion. It occurs when multiple stationary objects, such as discs or dots, are presented at regular intervals, creating the illusion of a smoothly moving object.
  4. Neon Color Spreading: Neon color spreading is an illusion where a bright color appears to spread and overlap onto surrounding areas of lower brightness or contrasting color. The color spreading effect can create the perception of pulsating or fluctuating boundaries between different colors or surfaces.
  5. Pulfrich Effect: The Pulfrich effect is a perceptual phenomenon that occurs when viewing a pendulum or moving object through a darkened lens or filter. The object appears to swing back and forth in a plane that is not actually present, creating a pulsating or oscillating motion.

These illusions, like the Pulsating Colors Illusion, demonstrate the complex nature of visual perception and how our brains interpret and process visual information. They often involve the interaction of contrast, adaptation, attention, and temporal dynamics within the visual system to create perceptual experiences that deviate from physical reality.


References and Resources – Pulsating Colors Illusion

In addition to the Pulsating Colors Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions

Check Out these Related Illusions

Orange Pulse, Moving Ball, Drifting Heart

Drifting Heart Illusion

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Drifting Heart Illusion

Check out this interesting Drifting Heart Illusion. This Drifting Heart Illusion is an example of Peripheral drift! The heart will appear to drift about on the background. Try looking at the heart and then moving your head from side to side to increase the effect.

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Drifting Heart Illusion


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What is the Drifting Heart Illusion?

The Drifting Heart Illusion is a type of peripheral drift illusion.

Peripheral drift, also known as peripheral drift illusion, is a visual illusion that creates the perception of motion or swirling patterns at the periphery of one’s visual field. It occurs when certain visual stimuli or patterns are presented in the outer edges of our visual perception.

The peripheral drift illusion typically involves concentric circles, radial lines, or other repetitive geometric patterns that are arranged in a way to create an impression of movement or rotation. When fixating on the central point of the pattern and maintaining focus, the edges of the pattern appear to be in motion, even though the pattern itself is static.

This illusion is believed to result from interactions between different layers of neurons in the visual system. It is thought that the peripheral motion signals generated by the pattern stimuli activate motion-sensitive neurons in the brain, creating an illusory perception of motion in the periphery. This motion perception persists even when we are aware that the pattern is actually stationary.

Peripheral drift illusions can vary in strength and individual perception. They can be influenced by factors such as the size, contrast, color, and complexity of the patterns, as well as the duration of exposure. Different variations and arrangements of geometric shapes can produce different effects.

Peripheral drift illusions like the Drifting Heart Illusion are intriguing demonstrations of the complexities of our visual system and how our brain processes and interprets visual information. They highlight the dynamic nature of visual perception and how our brain can sometimes create illusory motion even in the absence of actual movement.

How Does the Drifting Heart Illusion Work?

The Drifting Heart Illusion is a type of peripheral drift illusion.

The exact mechanisms underlying the peripheral drift illusion are not fully understood, but there are several theories that attempt to explain how it works. Here are a few possible explanations of how the The Drifting Heart Illusion works:

  1. Peripheral Neurons Interaction: The illusion may involve interactions between different types of neurons in the visual system. It is believed that motion-sensitive neurons in the periphery of our visual field respond to the visual stimuli, such as the repetitive patterns or edges, and send signals to the brain that indicate motion. These signals can create a perceptual experience of movement, even though the pattern itself is stationary.
  2. Eye Movements and Adaptation: Another explanation involves eye movements and adaptation. When fixating on the central point of the pattern, our eyes continuously make small, involuntary eye movements called microsaccades. These eye movements, coupled with the repetitive pattern, can create an effect similar to apparent motion. Additionally, prolonged exposure to the pattern may result in neural adaptation, where the motion-sensitive neurons become less responsive, leading to a perception of motion when the adaptation is released.
  3. Spatial and Temporal Integration: The illusion may also arise from the brain’s integration of spatial and temporal visual information. The repetitive pattern and edges in the peripheral vision can create conflicting cues regarding motion direction and speed. The brain attempts to reconcile these cues by generating a perceptual experience of motion, even if the actual stimuli are static.
  4. Gestalt Principles: The peripheral drift illusion may be influenced by gestalt principles of visual perception, specifically the principle of “common fate.” This principle suggests that when visual elements move together, our brain tends to perceive them as a single object or entity in motion. In the case of the illusion, the repetitive pattern at the periphery may be perceived as a unified entity in motion.

These explanations are theoretical and not all-encompassing. The peripheral drift illusions like the Drifting Heart Illusion are still an area of ongoing research, and further studies are needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms. Nonetheless, these theories provide insights into the complex interplay of visual processing and perception that contribute to the experience of the peripheral drift illusion.

Some Similar Illusions

The Drifting Heart Illusion is a type of peripheral drift illusion.

There are several illusions that share similarities with the peripheral drift illusion like the Drifting Heart Illusion or create similar effects on visual perception. Here are a few examples:

  1. Pinwheel Illusion: The pinwheel illusion involves the perception of rotating motion or spiraling patterns when viewing certain configurations of pinwheels or spirals. It shares similarities with the peripheral drift illusion as both create an illusion of motion or rotation in the visual field.
  2. Rotating Snakes Illusion: The rotating snakes illusion is a visual phenomenon where static images of interconnected circles or snakes appear to rotate. The illusion is created by specific color combinations and spatial arrangements, resulting in a perception of continuous rotation.
  3. Lilac Chaser Illusion: The lilac chaser illusion is an illusion in which viewers see a circle of disappearing and reappearing dots surrounding a central point. As one looks at the central point, the dots around it appear to vanish and create an illusory rotating motion.
  4. Motion Binding Illusion: The motion binding illusion occurs when our brain perceives the motion of one object as influencing the motion of another object, even though they are not physically connected or interacting. This illusion shares similarities with the peripheral drift illusion in terms of creating illusory motion perceptions.
  5. Waterfall Illusion: The waterfall illusion is experienced when staring at a waterfall or any other downward-flowing motion for an extended period. When the gaze is shifted to stationary objects, they appear to move upward. This illusion demonstrates the phenomenon of motion adaptation and its effect on our perception of motion.
  6. Motion Aftereffect: The motion aftereffect occurs when prolonged exposure to a moving stimulus is followed by the perception of motion in the opposite direction when viewing a stationary scene. This illusion demonstrates how our visual system can adapt to prolonged motion, resulting in an illusory motion perception in the opposite direction.

These illusions, like the Drifting Heart Illusion, highlight the complex nature of visual perception and how our brain processes and interprets visual information. They often involve interactions between different visual cues, motion-sensitive neurons, adaptation mechanisms, and the integration of spatial and temporal visual information to create perceptual experiences that deviate from physical reality.


References and Resources – Drifting Heart Illusion

In addition to the Drifting Heart Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions

Check Out these Related Illusions

Orange Pulse, Moving Ball

Moving Ball Illusion

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Moving Ball Illusion

Check out this cool Moving Ball Illusion. This Moving Ball Illusion is an example an anomalous motion illusion. The ball appears to drift or move across the background, but the image is completely static.

If you are interested in learning more about how the Moving Ball Illusion works, scroll down to read more about it!

Moving Ball Illusion


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What is the Moving Ball Illusion?

The Moving Ball Illusion is an example of Anomalous Motion.

Anomalous motion refers to the perception of visual motion that deviates from what is typically expected or experienced. It involves the illusion of movement that contradicts our normal perception of motion.

One example of anomalous motion is the “phi phenomenon.” This phenomenon occurs when two stationary visual stimuli are presented in rapid succession. Even though the stimuli are not physically moving, our brain perceives them as moving due to the quick alternation, creating the illusion of motion.

Another example is the “reverse-phi illusion,” where a moving stimulus appears to move in the opposite direction of its actual motion. This illusion challenges our expectations of motion and can lead to a perception of motion that contradicts reality.

Anomalous motion can also arise from other optical illusions, such as the motion aftereffect. This occurs when prolonged exposure to a moving stimulus followed by a stationary stimulus creates a perception of motion in the opposite direction to the initial movement.

These types of anomalous motion illusions demonstrate the complex nature of our visual system and how our brains interpret visual stimuli. They provide insights into how our perception of motion can be influenced and sometimes deceived by certain visual cues.

How Does the Moving Ball Illusion Work?

The Moving Ball Illusion is an example of Anomalous Motion.

Anomalous motion illusions work by exploiting the mechanisms and limitations of our visual system. Our visual perception is a complex process that involves the interpretation of visual stimuli by the brain. Here’s a simplified explanation of how anomalous motion illusions like the Moving Ball Illusion work:

  1. Neural Processing: When we see visual stimuli, such as patterns or objects in motion, light enters our eyes and stimulates the specialized cells called photoreceptors in the retina. These cells convert light into electrical signals.
  2. Motion Detection: The visual information from the photoreceptors is then transmitted to the visual cortex in the brain via the optic nerve. The visual cortex analyzes the incoming signals to detect motion, identify objects, and construct our visual perception.
  3. Motion Perception: Our brain uses various cues, such as changes in position, timing, and visual patterns, to interpret and determine the direction and speed of motion. It compares the current visual input with previous visual experiences and expectations.
  4. Illusory Effects: Anomalous motion illusions exploit specific characteristics of neural processing. For example, the phi phenomenon takes advantage of the brain’s tendency to perceive a smooth motion when two stationary stimuli are presented rapidly. The brain interprets the alternating stimuli as a single object moving back and forth.
  5. Adaptation and Contrast: Other illusions, like the motion aftereffect, involve adaptation and contrast mechanisms in the visual system. Prolonged exposure to a moving stimulus causes neurons in the visual system to adapt, becoming less responsive to that specific motion. When the moving stimulus is removed, the neurons that were not adapted to the motion become more active, creating a perception of motion in the opposite direction.

In essence, anomalous motion illusions like the Moving Ball Illusion occur when our brain’s interpretation of visual stimuli does not align with the physical reality of the stimuli. They exploit the ways in which our visual system processes and integrates visual information, leading to perceptual distortions and the experience of motion that contradicts the actual physical motion or lack thereof.

These illusions highlight the fascinating complexities of our visual perception and serve as examples of how our brains interpret and sometimes misinterpret visual information.

Some Similar Illusions

The Moving Ball Illusion is an example of Anomalous Motion.

There are several illusions that share similarities with anomalous motion illusions in terms of their effects on visual perception. Here are a few examples of similar illusions to the Moving Ball Illusion:

  1. Motion Induced Blindness: In this illusion, stationary objects disappear or fade from our visual perception when surrounded by rapidly moving objects or patterns. The motion-induced blindness effect demonstrates how our attention and visual perception can be influenced by the surrounding motion.
  2. Motion Binding Illusion: This illusion occurs when we perceive the motion of one object as influencing the motion of another object, even though they are not physically connected or interacting. It demonstrates how our brain integrates visual information to create a coherent perception of motion.
  3. Stroboscopic Motion: Stroboscopic motion illusions involve the perception of continuous motion when a series of still images or rapidly alternating stimuli are presented. The perception of movement is created by the brain filling in the gaps between the individual images or stimuli.
  4. Apparent Motion: Apparent motion illusions occur when our brain perceives a single object as moving between two or more stationary stimuli presented in succession. This illusion demonstrates how our brain can construct a sense of continuous motion from discrete visual inputs.
  5. Autokinetic Effect: The autokinetic effect is a phenomenon where a stationary light source appears to move or “twinkle” when stared at for an extended period in a dark environment. This illusion occurs due to small eye movements and the absence of visual references, causing the perception of motion in a stationary object.

These illusions, like anomalous motion illusions like the Moving Ball Illusion, demonstrate the intricate nature of visual perception and how our brains interpret and construct our visual experiences. They highlight the influence of factors such as motion, attention, context, and our past experiences on our perception of the visual world.


References and Resources – Moving Ball Illusion

In addition to the Moving Ball Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions

Check Out these Related Illusions

Orange Pulse

Moving Ball Illusion

Moving Coils Illusion

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Moving Coils Illusion

This Moving Coils Illusion uses illusory motion to create the perception that the coils are moving when they are actually static.

The Moving Coils Illusion primarily exploits a phenomenon known as “peripheral drift,” which refers to the perception of motion at the periphery of our visual field. The intricate arrangement of the colors and shapes in the pattern creates conflicting visual cues that trick our visual system into perceiving motion.

Moving Coils Illusion


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What is the Moving Coils Illusion?

The Moving Coils Illusion is a fascinating example of a visual illusion that gives the impression of motion in a static image.

The Moving Coils Illusion primarily exploits a phenomenon known as “peripheral drift,” which refers to the perception of motion at the periphery of our visual field. The intricate arrangement of the colors and shapes in the pattern creates conflicting visual cues that trick our visual system into perceiving motion.

How does the Moving Coils Illusion Work?

Here’s a simplified explanation of how the Moving Coils Illusion works:

  1. Contrast and luminance: The alternating colored segments of the circular shapes create strong contrast and differences in luminance. Our visual system is sensitive to these differences and tends to interpret them as depth or changes in surface orientation.
  2. Assumed shadows: The arrangement of the colored segments within each shape suggests the presence of shadows or highlights. Our brain interprets these shading cues as evidence of a three-dimensional structure.
  3. Gradient and curvature: The circular shapes have a gradient of shading, with lighter tones on one side and darker tones on the other. This gradient, combined with the curvature of the circles, gives the impression of depth and rotation.
  4. Spatial interactions: As we focus on a specific part of the pattern, the peripheral vision comes into play. The visual system is highly sensitive to motion in the periphery, and the arrangement of the circles creates an illusion of rotation as we shift our gaze across the image.

The exact mechanisms underlying the Moving Coils Illusion are not fully understood, and different explanations have been proposed by researchers. Some theories suggest that the illusion is related to the interactions between the receptive fields of neurons in the visual cortex, while others propose that it may involve processes such as adaptation and filling-in.

Overall, the Moving Coils Illusion demonstrates how our visual system can be easily deceived by subtle cues and interactions between visual elements, resulting in the perception of motion where none actually exists.

Some Similar Illusions

There are several other visual illusions that share similarities with the Moving Coils Illusion in terms of creating the perception of motion or dynamic effects. Here are a few examples:

  1. Motion Aftereffect (Waterfall illusion): This illusion occurs after staring at a moving stimulus, such as a waterfall or a rotating spiral, for an extended period. When you shift your gaze to a stationary scene, you may experience a perception of motion in the opposite direction. For example, after staring at a downward-moving waterfall, a stationary scene might appear to move upward.
  2. Pinna-Brelstaff Illusion: This illusion involves a pattern of concentric circles or shapes that appear to rotate when you move closer to or farther away from the image. The perceived rotation is an illusion and does not correspond to any physical movement.
  3. Wagon-Wheel Effect: When observing a rotating wheel, such as a bicycle wheel or a car wheel, under certain conditions, the rotation may appear to be moving in the opposite direction or even come to a complete stop. This effect is due to the interaction between the wheel’s rotational motion and the sampling rate of our visual system.
  4. Beta Movement: Beta movement refers to the illusion of continuous motion that occurs when two or more static images are presented in quick succession. The rapid succession of images creates the perception of smooth motion, even though each image is static.
  5. Stroboscopic Motion: This illusion occurs when a series of still images are presented rapidly one after another, creating the perception of continuous motion. It is often utilized in animations, movies, and flipbooks.

These illusions, like the Moving Coils Illusion, exploit various aspects of our visual perception, including motion processing, temporal sampling, and the interpretation of visual cues. They demonstrate how our visual system can be influenced by specific patterns, timing, and context to create perceptual experiences that go beyond the actual visual stimuli.

Discovery of the Moving Coils Illusion

The Moving Coils Illusion relies on the phenomenon of peripheral drift which was not discovered by a specific individual but rather emerged through the collective exploration of visual illusions and perceptual phenomena.

While the specific term “peripheral drift” may not have been coined by a single discoverer, researchers and scientists in the field of visual perception have been studying related phenomena for many years. The perception of motion in the periphery of our visual field has been explored and documented in various studies and scientific literature.

Visual illusions and perceptual phenomena are often the result of the complex interactions between our sensory system, cognitive processes, and the visual stimuli presented to us. Therefore, understanding and discovering the mechanisms behind specific illusions can involve contributions from multiple researchers, psychologists, and neuroscientists over time.


References and Resources

In addition to the Moving Coils Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome similar illusions: Platform 9 3-4, Moving Diamond, Moving Ball, Scintillating Stars, Circle Spiral, Moving Hearts, Expanding Flower, Moon Illusion, Face Mosaic, Sun Dogs, Cathedral Floor, Rising Road

Moving Coils Illusion

Expanding Flower Illusion

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Expanding Flower Illusion

This Expanding Flower Illusion is a version of the “Expanding/Contracting Motion Illusion” or the “Troxler Effect.” In this illusion, when you fixate your gaze on a particular point, shapes located in your peripheral vision appear to expand or contract over time, even though they are actually static.

Expanding Flower Illusion


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What is the Expanding Flower Illusion?

The Expanding Flower Illusion is commonly known as the “Expanding/Contracting Motion Illusion” or the “Troxler Effect.” In this illusion, when you fixate your gaze on a particular point, shapes located in your peripheral vision appear to expand or contract over time, even though they are actually static.

Here’s how the Expanding Flower Illusion works:

  1. Fixation Point: The illusion begins with a central fixation point that you focus on directly. This helps to stabilize your central gaze while the peripheral vision is engaged.
  2. Peripheral Shapes: Surrounding the fixation point are shapes or objects, usually simple patterns such as circles, squares, or lines. These shapes are carefully designed to create the illusory effect.
  3. Perception of Expansion/Contraction: As you maintain fixation on the central point, the peripheral shapes may appear to expand or contract, as if they are growing or shrinking in size. The illusory motion is perceived in the peripheral vision, and the effect can be more pronounced when the shapes have high contrast or sharp edges.

The Expanding Flower Illusion is thought to occur due to a phenomenon known as “peripheral drift,” where the peripheral visual information is not as precisely processed as the central vision. As a result, the peripheral shapes appear to be in motion, even though they are stationary.

The specific patterns used in versions of the Expanding Flower Illusion and the precise mechanisms behind the Troxler Effect are still the subject of ongoing research and investigation. However, this illusion highlights the dynamic nature of our visual perception and how our brain can create illusory motion or changes in size based on the information processed in our peripheral vision.

How does the Expanding Flower Illusion Work?

The Expanding Flower Illusion, also known as the Troxler Effect, is a perceptual phenomenon that arises from the interaction between the visual system and the way our brain processes information from the periphery. Here’s an explanation of how it works:

  1. Peripheral Vision: Our visual system consists of two main components: central vision and peripheral vision. Central vision provides detailed and focused information, while peripheral vision captures a wider field of view but with less detail.
  2. Stabilized Fixation: In the Expanding/Contracting Motion Illusion, you focus your gaze on a central fixation point, keeping your eyes fixated on a specific location. By stabilizing your fixation, you ensure that your central vision remains fixed while the periphery is engaged.
  3. Peripheral Processing: The peripheral shapes or objects surrounding the fixation point fall within your peripheral vision. The visual information from the periphery is not processed with the same level of detail and precision as central vision.
  4. Neural Adaptation: When you fixate your gaze on the central point, the neural responses of the cells in your peripheral visual system adapt and decrease over time. This adaptation reduces the sensitivity and accuracy of the peripheral vision response to static stimuli.
  5. Perception of Motion: Due to the reduced neural responses and adaptation in the peripheral vision, the peripheral shapes appear to be in motion. This perceived motion can manifest as expansion (growing larger) or contraction (shrinking smaller) of the peripheral shapes, even though they are actually static.

The Troxler Effect demonstrates how our visual system prioritizes information from the central vision and adapts to reduce the processing of static peripheral stimuli. This adaptation, combined with the natural tendency of our brain to fill in missing information, leads to the illusory perception of motion, expansion, or contraction of the peripheral shapes. The exact mechanisms and neural processes involved in the Troxler Effect are still the subject of ongoing research and investigation in the field of visual perception.

Some Similar Illusions

There are several illusions that share similarities with the Expanding Flower Illusion or the Troxler Effect in terms of creating illusory perceptions of expanding or contracting motion. Here are a few examples:

  1. Motion Aftereffect (Waterfall Illusion): When you view a moving stimulus, such as a waterfall or a continuously rotating pattern, and then shift your gaze to a stationary scene, you may perceive an illusory motion in the opposite direction. This illusion arises due to neural adaptation, where the motion-sensitive neurons in your visual system become fatigued and respond less to the stationary scene.
  2. Enigma Illusion: In this illusion, a central shape surrounded by a pattern of radiating lines appears to expand or contract when you move your eyes or shift your attention to different regions of the image. This illusion exploits the interaction between eye movements, attention, and the perception of expanding or contracting motion.
  3. Kitaoka Rotating Snakes Illusion: This illusion consists of a pattern of interlocking curved lines that appear to rotate or undulate in a circular motion, even though the lines themselves are static. The perceived motion arises due to the arrangement and curvature of the lines, which stimulates motion-sensitive neurons in a way that creates the illusion of rotation.
  4. Scintillating Grid Illusion: In this illusion, a grid of intersecting white lines on a black background creates the perception of faint gray dots at the intersections. When you shift your gaze across the grid, the dots seem to appear and disappear, giving the illusion of motion. This illusion involves interactions between the receptive fields of retinal ganglion cells and lateral inhibition processes.

These illusions, like the Expanding/Contracting Motion Illusion, involve the manipulation of visual cues, neural adaptation, eye movements, and contextual factors to create the perception of motion or changes in size that are not actually present in the stimuli. They highlight the intricate ways in which our visual system can be deceived and how our brain interprets visual information to construct our perception of the world.

Discovery of the Expanding Flower Illusion

The Expanding Flower Illusion, also known as the Troxler Effect, is named after Swiss physician and philosopher Ignaz Paul Vital Troxler. Troxler first described the phenomenon in 1804 in his publication titled “Über das Verschwinden gegebener Gegenstände innerhalb unseres Gesichtskreises” (On the Disappearance of Given Objects within Our Visual Field). Troxler’s work shed light on the phenomenon of perceptual fading or disappearance of visual stimuli when fixating on a central point, leading to the discovery of the Expanding/Contracting Motion Illusion.


References and Resources

In addition to the Expanding Flower Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome similar illusions: Platform 9 3-4, Moving Diamond, Moving Ball, Scintillating Stars, Circle Spiral, Moving Hearts

Expanding Flower Illusion

Moving Hearts Illusion

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Moving Heart Illusion

This Moving Hearst Illusion uses illusory motion to create the perception that the hearts are actually moving.

Illusory motion is a perceptual phenomenon in which a stationary image appears to be moving. It occurs when visual cues in the image trick the brain into perceiving motion, even though there is no actual movement taking place. If you are interested, scroll down to learn more about it.

Moving Heart Illusion


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What is the Moving Hearts Illusion?

The Moving Hearts Illusion is an example of illusory motion which refers to the perception of movement or motion in a visual stimulus that is actually static or stationary. It is a phenomenon where our brains interpret the visual input in a way that creates a false sense of motion.

Illusory motion like the Moving Hearts Illusion can occur through various mechanisms and visual cues, including:

  1. Motion Aftereffect: This is a common form of illusory motion where prolonged exposure to a moving stimulus causes a subsequent stationary stimulus to appear to move in the opposite direction. For example, after staring at a waterfall for a while, a static scene may appear to flow upwards.
  2. Phi Phenomenon: The phi phenomenon is an illusion of apparent motion that occurs when a series of still images are presented rapidly in succession. It creates the perception of motion between the images, even though each individual image is static.
  3. Peripheral Drift Illusion: As mentioned earlier, the peripheral drift illusion creates the perception of motion in a static pattern when viewed peripherally, with elements like radiating lines or concentric circles appearing to rotate or drift.
  4. Autokinetic Effect: The autokinetic effect is an illusion of motion experienced when looking at a stationary point of light in an otherwise dark environment. The light appears to move or “twinkle” slightly, even though it is stationary.

In addition to the Moving Hearts Illusion, these are just a few examples of illusory motion phenomena. Illusory motion illustrates how our visual system can be influenced by various factors and interpret static stimuli as dynamic or moving. It demonstrates the complexities of visual perception and the brain’s ability to construct a coherent representation of the world based on limited sensory input.

How does the Moving Hearts Illusion Work?

Illusory motion like the Moving Hearts Illusion occurs due to the complex processing and interpretation of visual stimuli by our brain. While the specific mechanisms can vary depending on the particular illusion, here are some general processes that contribute to illusory motion:

  1. Neural Adaptation: Our visual system has neurons that are specialized in detecting and processing motion. When exposed to a moving stimulus for an extended period, these motion-sensitive neurons adapt and become less responsive to the specific motion. As a result, when presented with a stationary stimulus afterward, there can be a mismatch between the adapted neurons and the actual input.
  2. Interactions between Neural Pathways: Illusory motion often involves interactions between different neural pathways responsible for detecting motion, processing visual cues, and integrating information. These interactions can create conflicts or discrepancies in the signals being processed, leading to the perception of motion where none exists.
  3. Contextual Information: Our brain relies on contextual cues to make sense of visual stimuli. Illusory motion can be influenced by factors such as surrounding patterns, contrast, spatial frequencies, and the overall context in which the stimulus is presented. These contextual cues can trigger certain expectations or biases, leading to the perception of motion.
  4. Eye Movements: In some cases, illusory motion may be enhanced or influenced by our eye movements. Fixating on a specific point while observing a dynamic stimulus or shifting gaze across the scene can impact how our brain processes motion information, potentially contributing to illusory motion effects.

The exact mechanisms underlying specific illusions of motion, such as the motion aftereffect or the autokinetic effect, can involve a combination of these factors and others. Different illusions may have unique characteristics and neural processes at play.

Illusory motion like evidenced in the Moving Hearts Illusion highlights the sophisticated nature of our visual perception and how our brain constructs a coherent representation of the visual world. It demonstrates how our brain can be deceived by certain patterns, contexts, or adaptational processes, leading to the compelling illusion of motion.

Some Similar Illusions to the Moving Hearts Illusion

There are several illusions that share similarities with illusory motion seen in the moving hearts illusion in terms of creating the perception of movement or dynamic effects. Here are a few examples:

  1. Stroboscopic Motion: Stroboscopic motion involves perceiving continuous motion from a series of discrete or intermittent stimuli. For example, the phi phenomenon, mentioned earlier, creates the perception of motion between static images presented in rapid succession.
  2. Wagon-Wheel Effect: The wagon-wheel effect is observed when the spokes of a rotating wheel or a propeller appear to move slowly or even backward. It occurs due to the interaction between the rotational speed of the object and the sampling rate of our visual system.
  3. Barberpole Illusion: The barberpole illusion is an optical illusion where a vertically oriented barber pole, with alternating red and white stripes, appears to move upward or downward even though it is stationary. The perceived motion is a result of the diagonal stripes presented at an angle.
  4. Waterfall Illusion: The waterfall illusion, also known as the motion aftereffect, involves a stationary scene appearing to move in the opposite direction after prolonged exposure to a downward moving stimulus, such as a waterfall. It occurs due to neural adaptation in the motion-sensitive neurons of the visual system.
  5. Pulfrich Effect: The Pulfrich effect occurs when a moving object in a 2D plane appears to have a perceived depth or a swinging motion. It is created by introducing a slight time delay between the perception of the object by each eye, typically achieved using a light filter.

These illusions, like illusory motion, exploit the complex interactions between visual processing, motion perception, and contextual cues. They demonstrate the intricate ways in which our visual system can be influenced, leading to compelling illusions of motion or dynamic effects.

Discovery of the Moving Hearts Illusion

Illusory motion like demonstrated in the moving hearts illusion, as a phenomenon in visual perception, does not have a specific inventor or creator. Illusory motion has been observed and studied by numerous scientists, psychologists, and researchers over the years. The discovery and understanding of different types of illusory motion have emerged through the collective efforts of scientists working in the field of visual perception and neuroscience.

The study of illusory motion has a rich history, and contributions have been made by researchers from various disciplines. Scientists such as Max Wertheimer, Ernst Mach, Adelbert Ames Jr., and many others have made significant contributions to our understanding of visual illusions and the perception of motion.

It’s important to note that the study of illusory motion is an ongoing field of research, with new insights and discoveries continually emerging. Researchers continue to investigate the underlying mechanisms and neural processes involved in generating illusory motion effects, enhancing our understanding of this fascinating aspect of visual perception.


References and Resources

In addition to the Moving Hearts Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome similar illusions: Platform 9 3-4, Moving Diamond

Moving Heart Illusion

Circle Spiral Illusion

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Circle Spiral Illusion

This Circle Spiral Illusion is a version of the the “Fraser Spiral Illusion” or “False Spiral Illusion.” In this illusion, a series of concentric circles, when arranged in a particular pattern, appear to form a spiral or twisting pattern, even though the individual circles are actually concentric and not spirals.

Circle Spiral Illusion


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What is the Circle Spiral Illusion?

The Circle Spiral Illusions is a version of the “Fraser Spiral Illusion” or “False Spiral Illusion.” In this illusion, a series of concentric circles, when arranged in a particular pattern, appear to form a spiral or twisting pattern, even though the individual circles are actually concentric and not spirals.

The Fraser Spiral Illusion was discovered by the British psychologist James Fraser and was first published in 1908. The illusion occurs due to the interaction between the radial lines connecting the circles and the perceptual system’s interpretation of these lines. The radial lines create an apparent spiral motion, leading to the perception of a spiral pattern emerging from the concentric circles.

The Circle Spiral Illusion highlights how our brain’s interpretation of visual information can lead to misleading perceptions and the creation of illusory patterns. It is an interesting example of how our visual system can be deceived by certain spatial arrangements and cues, resulting in the perception of motion or patterns that do not actually exist.

How does the Circle Spiral Illusion Work?

The Circle Spiral illusion works by exploiting our visual system’s tendency to perceive patterns and motion based on certain visual cues. Here’s an explanation of how it works:

  1. Concentric Circles: The illusion begins with a set of concentric circles, typically with evenly spaced radial lines extending from the center. These circles are truly concentric and have no inherent spiral shape.
  2. Radial Lines: The radial lines are positioned and angled in a way that interacts with our visual system. These lines typically connect the intersections of the circles, creating a series of diagonal lines that appear to spiral inward or outward.
  3. Perceptual Completion: When we observe the concentric circles with the radial lines, our brain tends to complete missing information or fill in gaps based on visual cues and previous experiences. In this case, our brain perceives the missing parts of the spiraling pattern, even though it doesn’t actually exist in the image.
  4. Grouping and Motion Perception: Our visual system naturally groups similar elements and looks for patterns or motion. The arrangement of the radial lines in the Fraser Spiral Illusion gives the impression of a spiraling or twisting motion, as if the circles are forming a spiral pattern.
  5. Contextual Cues: Surrounding context and other visual cues can also influence our perception of the illusion. Elements such as the background or the presence of other patterns may enhance or modify the perceived spiral effect.

The combination of these factors leads to the perception of a spiral pattern emerging from the concentric circles, despite the circles themselves being static and truly concentric. The Circle Spiral Illusion demonstrates how our brain interprets visual information and fills in gaps to construct a coherent perception of the world, sometimes resulting in deceptive patterns or motions that are not actually present in the stimulus.

Some Similar Illusions

There are several illusions that share similarities with the Circle Spiral illusion in terms of creating misleading perceptions of spirals or twisting patterns. Here are a few examples:

  1. The Twisted Cord Illusion: In this illusion, a twisted or coiled rope or cord appears to have a spiral shape when it is unwound. This perception arises due to the interaction between the physical properties of the twisted cord and our visual system’s interpretation of the changing angles and perspective cues.
  2. The Spiral Aftereffect: This illusion occurs after prolonged exposure to spirals rotating in one direction. When you shift your gaze to a stationary image, such as a blank wall, you may perceive illusory spirals rotating in the opposite direction. This phenomenon is a result of neural adaptation and the aftereffects of the motion-sensitive neurons in the visual system.
  3. The Poggendorff Illusion: The Poggendorff illusion involves an oblique line that is interrupted by a rectangular shape. The interruption creates a misalignment in the line segments, making them appear disjointed and causing an illusion of a distorted or misaligned line. The perceived misalignment can create the impression of a spiral-like shape.
  4. The Pinna-Brelstaff Illusion: In this illusion, a pattern of concentric circles or spiral-like shapes, when combined with specific motion, creates the perception of the circles expanding or contracting in size. This effect is due to the interaction between the motion-sensitive neurons in the visual system and the specific arrangement of the patterns.

These illusions, like the Circle Spiral Illusion, manipulate visual cues, perspective, motion, and context to create deceptive perceptions of spirals or twisting patterns. They demonstrate the intricate ways in which our visual system processes and interprets visual information, leading to fascinating illusions and distortions in our perception of reality.

Discovery of the Spiral Illusion

The Circle Spiral illusion is a version of the the Fraser Spiral Illusion, also known as the False Spiral Illusion, was discovered and named after James Fraser, a British psychologist. Fraser first described and published the illusion in his article titled “A New Visual Illusion of Direction,” which appeared in the American Journal of Psychology in 1908. Fraser’s work contributed to the understanding of visual perception and the ways in which our brains interpret visual stimuli to create illusory effects.


References and Resources

In addition to the Circle Spiral Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome similar illusions: Platform 9 3-4, Moving Diamond, Moving Ball, Scintillating Stars

Circle Spiral Illusion

Scintillating Stars Illusion

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Scintillating Stars Illusion

This Scintillating Stars Illusion is a version of the famous scintillating grid illusion which is a visual phenomenon that creates the perception of dark dots appearing and disappearing at the intersections of a grid. It was first described by E. Lingelbach in 1994.

Scintillating Stars Illusion


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What is the Scintillating Stars Illusion?

The Scintillating Stars Illusion is a version of the scintillating grid illusion which is a visual phenomenon that creates the perception of dark dots appearing and disappearing at the intersections of a grid. It was first described by E. Lingelbach in 1994. Here’s how the scintillating grid illusion typically works:

  1. Grid Pattern: The scintillating grid illusion consists of a grid of straight, intersecting white lines on a dark background. The grid is typically composed of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines.
  2. Perceived Dots: When you fixate your gaze on a specific intersection point of the grid and keep your eyes still, you may observe illusory dark dots appearing at the intersection points where the white lines meet.
  3. Vanishing Dots: However, as you try to focus directly on the dark dots, they seem to disappear or fade away. The dots can be challenging to observe directly and may appear to vanish when you attempt to fixate on them.

The scintillating stars illusion is thought to occur due to interactions between the retinal cells, particularly the “off-center” and “on-center” cells responsible for processing light and dark contrasts. These interactions, along with lateral inhibition, create a perceptual effect where the presence of neighboring white lines inhibits the perception of dark dots, leading to the appearance of vanishing dots.

The scintillating stars illusion is a compelling example of how our visual system can create illusions or false perceptions based on the interactions between different visual elements and neural processing.

How does the Scintillating Stars Illusion Work?

The scintillating star illusion is created through a combination of retinal and neural processes in our visual system. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how it works:

  1. Retinal Reception: When viewing the scintillating grid, light enters our eyes and is captured by the photoreceptor cells in the retina. These cells include cones, responsible for color vision and detailed perception, and rods, responsible for low-light and peripheral vision.
  2. On-Center/Off-Surround Cells: In the retina, there are specific types of retinal ganglion cells that have receptive fields with an “on-center/off-surround” configuration. This means they are sensitive to light in the center of their receptive field (on-center) and inhibited by light in the surrounding area (off-surround).
  3. Lateral Inhibition: The off-surround region of the receptive fields of these retinal ganglion cells contributes to a phenomenon called lateral inhibition. When light is detected by the on-center cells, it activates them, but simultaneously inhibits the activity of neighboring off-surround cells. This inhibition enhances contrast and sharpens the perception of edges and boundaries.
  4. Contrast Enhancement: In the scintillating grid, the white lines and intersections create regions of high contrast. The high-contrast intersections lead to stronger activation of the on-center cells compared to the surrounding areas.
  5. Inhibition of Dark Dots: Due to lateral inhibition, the activity of the off-surround cells is inhibited when the white lines meet at the intersections. This inhibition affects the perception of dark dots at those intersections, making them appear faint or even vanish.
  6. Eye Movements and Adaptation: Additionally, the scintillating grid illusion can be influenced by eye movements. As you move your gaze across the grid or fixate on specific intersections, the activity of the retinal ganglion cells and the perception of dark dots can change. Prolonged fixation can also lead to neural adaptation, where the response of cells to continuous stimulation decreases over time, affecting the perception of the illusion.

In summary, the scintillating stars illusion arises from interactions between the on-center/off-surround receptive fields of retinal ganglion cells, lateral inhibition, and contrast enhancement. These processes contribute to the perception of illusory dark dots that appear and vanish at the intersections of the grid, creating a captivating visual effect.

Some Similar Illusions

There are several illusions that share similarities with the scintillating stars illusion in terms of creating illusory perceptions or visual effects. Here are a few examples:

  1. Hermann Grid Illusion: The Hermann grid illusion involves a grid of black squares with white intersections. When fixating on the grid, gray blobs or “ghost-like” dark spots may appear at the intersections. The illusion is thought to arise from similar mechanisms of lateral inhibition and contrast enhancement.
  2. Café Wall Illusion: The café wall illusion features a pattern of alternating rows of black and white squares that create the illusion of slanted lines. Although the lines are parallel, they appear to be offset or tilted due to interactions between brightness contrast and the positioning of the squares.
  3. Mach Bands: Mach bands are an illusion of brightness enhancement or suppression that occurs at the edges of contrast boundaries. When two adjacent regions of different brightness meet, the perceived contrast intensifies, creating bands or lines of heightened or diminished brightness along the boundary.
  4. Kanizsa Triangle: The Kanizsa triangle illusion involves three “Pac-Man” shaped figures arranged to form an illusionary triangle. Even though the actual triangle outline is not present, our brain perceives a complete triangle based on the incomplete cues provided by the Pac-Man shapes.

These illusions, like the scintillating stars illusion, exploit various visual processes, including edge detection, contrast enhancement, and perceptual completion, to create intriguing perceptual effects or illusory perceptions. They demonstrate how our visual system can be influenced by contextual cues, interactions between elements, and neural processing, leading to compelling visual illusions.

Discovery of the Scintillating Stars Illusion

The Scintillating Stars Illusion is a version of the the scintillating grid illusion was discovered and described by E. Lingelbach in 1994. Lingelbach observed the phenomenon and published his findings, introducing the scintillating grid illusion to the scientific community. His research shed light on the unique perceptual effect of dark dots appearing and vanishing at the intersections of a grid, contributing to our understanding of visual illusions and the complex processes underlying visual perception.


References and Resources

In addition to the Scintillating Stars Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome similar illusions: Platform 9 3-4, Moving Diamond, Moving Ball

Scintillating Stars Illusion