The Moiré pattern illusion is an optical illusion that is created by the interaction of two or more superimposed patterns. A Moiré pattern is formed when two regular patterns, such as grids or dots, are overlaid on each other, creating an interference pattern.
The Moiré pattern appears as a set of wavy lines or shapes that are different from the original patterns.
From Wikimedia Commons
Table of Contents
- How does the Moiré Pattern Illusion work?
- Versions of the Moiré Pattern Illusion
- Illusions like the Moiré Pattern Illusion
- Discovery of the Moiré Pattern Illusion
- References and Resources
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How does the Moiré Pattern Illusion work?
The Moiré pattern is created by the brain as it tries to interpret the overlapping patterns.
The brain tries to interpret the overlapping patterns as one pattern, but the regularity of the original patterns causes interference, resulting in the perception of a new, distorted pattern.
Moiré patterns can be observed in various settings, such as in textiles, screens and print media, and they are also used in science and technology, such as in measuring equipment and in the study of fluid dynamics.
Moiré pattern illusions are often used to study the neural mechanisms of visual perception, particularly the way that the brain processes and interprets complex visual information.
They can also be used to create interesting visual effects in art and design.
Version of the Moiré Pattern Illusion
The following is an alternate version of the Moiré Pattern Illusion:
Illusions like the Moiré Pattern Illusion
The Moiré Pattern illusion is a type of motion illusion, also known as a kinetic illusion. It is created by the interaction of straight lines that are arranged in a specific pattern, which creates the illusion of a spiral pattern moving inwards.
This illusion is a good example of how our visual system can be easily deceived by the combination of different visual cues, and how it can interpret them in a way that doesn’t match the physical reality. The Fraser spiral illusion is particularly interesting for scientists and researchers because it helps to understand how the brain processes and interprets visual information, specifically how it perceives motion and organizes visual information.
Some similar illusions are below:
The rotating snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.
The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.
The Hermann Grid Illusion in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.
The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.
The barber pole illusion is an optical illusion that is characterized by the appearance of a spiral pattern on a vertically striped pole.
The Bezold Effect: This illusion is created by placing two or more colors next to each other, and the way they appear to change when they are close to one another.
The Café Wall Illusion is a visual illusion that is created by a grid of alternating light and dark horizontal and vertical lines. The lines appear to be bent or tilted, even though they are actually straight.
Discovery of the Moiré Pattern Illusion
The Moiré pattern is a well-known optical illusion, and it is unlikely that any one person can be credited with its discovery.
The phenomenon of Moiré patterns has been observed and studied for centuries by scientists, mathematicians, and artists. Moiré patterns were first described mathematically by Swiss mathematician Johann Heinrich Lambert in 1760s.
The term “Moiré” comes from the French word for “watered” or “shaded”, referring to the wavy patterns that are created by the interference of the superimposed patterns.
Additionally, scientists and researchers have made contributions to the study of Moiré patterns by documenting the effects of different variables on the illusion, such as the shape, size, and spacing of the patterns, and the distance and angle of the viewer.
References and Resources
Check out our complete list of illusions.