This Moving In and Out Illusion has a couple cool effects. Overall, the design appear to move due to some illusory motion dynamics, but it’s also impossible to tell if the centermost point is pointing in or pointing out.
There are at least two effects at play here: illusory motion and the crater illusion.
If you are interested in learning more about how the Moving In and Out Illusion works, scroll down to read more about it.
Table of Contents
- What is the Moving In and Out Illusion?
- How does the Moving In and Out Illusion?
- Some Similar Illusions
- References and Resources
What is the Moving In and Out Illusion?
The Moving In and Out Illusion has elements of both illusory motion and the crater illusion.
Illusory motion refers to the perception of motion in a static image or pattern that is not actually moving. This type of illusion can occur in a variety of ways, from the movement of static lines to the apparent rotation of an object.
One common example of illusory motion is the “motion aftereffect” or “motion illusion”. This occurs when you stare at a moving object for an extended period of time and then look away at a stationary object. The stationary object may appear to be moving in the opposite direction of the original moving object, creating the illusion of motion.
Another example of illusory motion is the “phi phenomenon”, which occurs when two or more static images are presented in quick succession. The images may appear to be moving or changing, even though they are actually static. This effect is often used in animation and film to create the impression of motion or change.
Illusory motion can also occur when viewing complex patterns, such as those found in Op Art or Kinetic Art. These patterns may appear to move or shift in different ways, even though they are static. This type of illusion is often referred to as “optical illusion motion”.
Overall, illusory motion is a fascinating example of how our brains interpret visual information and can be easily fooled by static images or patterns. It demonstrates the complex nature of perception and the many ways in which our brains construct a sense of motion and movement in the world around us.
The crater illusion is a visual illusion that creates the perception of a concave surface or a depression, even though the surface is actually flat. The illusion is created by a pattern of light and dark concentric circles or rings that are arranged in a specific way.
When the pattern is viewed from a certain distance, the concentric rings create a gradient of shading that gives the appearance of a three-dimensional depression, as if the surface is curved downward. This illusion is similar to the “Pinna-Brelstaff illusion”, which creates the perception of motion or rotation through the use of concentric rings.
How does the Moving In and Out Illusion Work?
The Moving In and Out Illusion has elements of both illusory motion and the crater illusion.
Illusory motion works by taking advantage of the way our brains process visual information.
When we see a moving object, our brains perceive it as moving based on the changes in its position over time. These changes are detected by cells in the visual cortex that are sensitive to motion, and they send signals to other parts of the brain that allow us to perceive the motion.
However, illusory motion can occur even when there is no actual movement because our brains can be tricked into perceiving motion based on other visual cues. One way this can happen is through the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where an image continues to be perceived by the brain for a brief period of time after it has been removed from view.
For example, in the case of the motion aftereffect, staring at a moving object for an extended period of time can cause the cells in the visual cortex to become fatigued, leading to a decrease in their sensitivity to motion. When you look away at a stationary object, the cells that are still responsive to motion may send signals to the brain that create the illusion of motion in the opposite direction of the original moving object.
Similarly, the phi phenomenon works by presenting static images in quick succession, causing the persistence of vision to create the impression of motion or change.
In the case of complex patterns, such as those found in Op Art or Kinetic Art, the illusion of motion may be created by the interaction of different visual cues, such as color, shape, and contrast. These cues can create the impression of motion or shifting patterns, even though the image itself is static.
Overall, illusory motion is a fascinating example of how our brains interpret visual information and can be easily fooled by a variety of visual cues. It demonstrates the complex nature of perception and the many ways in which our brains construct a sense of motion and movement in the world around us.
The crater illusion works by taking advantage of the way our brains interpret visual cues to create the perception of depth and three-dimensionality.
The illusion is created by a series of concentric circles or rings that are arranged in a specific way. The rings are shaded with alternating light and dark regions, with the dark regions increasing in width towards the center of the circle.
When the pattern is viewed from a certain distance, the shading of the concentric circles creates the impression of a gradual slope or depression. This is because our brains interpret the shading as a series of shadows and highlights caused by a light source positioned above the surface. Our brains assume that the light is coming from above, so the dark regions of the concentric rings are interpreted as the deeper parts of a concave surface.
The illusion is strengthened by the fact that the concentric circles themselves are reminiscent of round objects like craters or bowls, which further reinforces the impression of depth and curvature.
Overall, the crater illusion is a striking example of how our brains can be tricked into perceiving three-dimensional space even when the stimulus is actually flat and two-dimensional. It demonstrates the complex interplay between visual cues and interpretation that underlies our perception of the world around us.
Some Similar Illusions
Some illusions similar to the Moving In and Out Illusion include the following:
- Rotating snakes illusion: This illusion consists of a pattern of overlapping circles and curves that create the perception of continuous motion, as if the image is rotating in a circular motion.
- Motion aftereffect illusion: This illusion occurs when a person views a moving stimulus for a prolonged period of time, and then looks at a stationary object. The stationary object will appear to be moving in the opposite direction of the original stimulus.
- Autokinetic effect: This illusion occurs when a stationary point of light is viewed in a dark room for a prolonged period of time. The light will appear to move or “drift” even though it is stationary.
- Peripheral drift illusion: This illusion consists of a pattern of intersecting circles and lines that create the perception of motion at the periphery of the visual field.
- Barber pole illusion: This illusion consists of a rotating spiral pattern of alternating red and white stripes, which create the perception of upward motion even though the pattern itself is rotating.
- Wagon wheel illusion: This illusion occurs when a wheel appears to be rotating in the opposite direction of its true motion, due to the interaction between the frequency of the spokes and the frame rate of the video camera..
- The Ebbinghaus illusion (also known as Titchener circles) is a perceptual illusion in which the perceived size of a central circle is affected by the size of the surrounding circles. The central circle appears smaller when surrounded by larger circles, and larger when surrounded by smaller circles.
- The Delboeuf illusion is similar to the Ebbinghaus illusion, but instead of circles, it uses two concentric circles or rings. The central ring appears larger or smaller depending on the size of the surrounding ring.
References and Resources
In addition to the Moving In and Out Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions.
Also check out this cool example of the crater illusion.
