The Circles Aren’t Moving

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The circles in these illusion aren’t moving at all and they stay the same size through out the video.

The artists responsible for these designs have used the principles of Illusory motion to create these effect.

If you are interested in learning more about how these “circles aren’t moving illusions” work, scroll down to learn more.

Circles Aren't Moving


Table of Contents

What is the The Circles Aren’t Moving?

The Circles Aren’t Moving illusion uses the principles of Illusory motion, also known as motion illusion, to create a cool effect. Illusory motion is a phenomenon in which static images or patterns appear to move or change position. These illusions can be created in a number of ways, such as through the use of contrasting colors or shapes that create the perception of movement, or through the use of repeated patterns that create a sense of motion.

One well-known example of an illusory motion is the famous “rotating snakes” illusion, in which a static image of a series of snakes appears to be rotating continuously. In reality, the image is static and the motion is an illusion created by the way the snakes are drawn.

Another example is the “wagon-wheel effect,” which occurs when a wheel appears to be moving slowly or even in the wrong direction when captured on film or video. This is due to the way that the camera captures individual frames and the speed at which the wheel is spinning relative to the frame rate of the camera.

Illusory motion can be a fascinating area of study for neuroscientists and psychologists, as it provides insights into the ways in which the brain processes visual information and perceives motion.

How does the The Circles Aren’t Moving Work?

The Circles Aren’t Moving uses illusory motion which works by exploiting the way that our brains process visual information. When we look at an image, our brains use a number of cues to interpret the visual scene, including color, contrast, shape, and motion.

When an image contains certain visual cues that are typically associated with motion, our brains may interpret the image as though it is in motion, even if it is actually static. This can occur due to a number of different mechanisms, including:

Contrast: When contrasting colors or shapes are placed next to each other, it can create the illusion of motion as our brains try to make sense of the differences between the two.

Repetition: Repeated patterns or shapes can create the perception of motion, as our brains interpret the repeated elements as a series of movements.

Peripheral vision: Objects that are located in our peripheral vision may appear to move or shift, even if they are not actually in motion, due to the way that our brains process information from this area.

Afterimages: When we stare at an image for a prolonged period of time, our brains may create an afterimage that appears to move or shift, even if the original image was static.

Overall, illusory motion is a fascinating area of study that sheds light on the complex ways in which our brains process and interpret visual information.

Some Similar Illusions

If you liked the The Circles Aren’t Moving Work illusion, you should check out this collection of Motion Illusions including Are They Climbing the Stairs, the Amazing Moving Octopus Illusion, ,these Colorful Illusory Motion examples,  these cool Black and White Illusory Motion examples.

Discovery of Illusory Motion

The phenomenon of illusory motion has been observed and studied for centuries, with some of the earliest recorded descriptions dating back to the 17th century. However, it is difficult to attribute the discovery of illusory motion to any one individual, as it has been studied and described by many researchers over the years.

One of the earliest known examples of an illusory motion was described by the Italian mathematician and astronomer Galileo Galilei in the early 17th century. Galileo observed that when two straight lines are placed next to each other, they can appear to be moving in a circular motion, due to the way that the brain processes the visual information.

Other notable researchers who have contributed to the study of illusory motion include Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who wrote extensively about optical illusions in his book “Theory of Colours” published in 1810, and Hermann von Helmholtz, a German physicist and physician who conducted experiments on visual perception in the 19th century.

Today, illusory motion continues to be studied and explored by neuroscientists, psychologists, and other researchers interested in the mechanisms behind visual perception and sensory processing.


References and Resources

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