OPTICAL ILLUSIONS - Part 1

Dancing Stars - Round and round they go

This is a still image, but if you move your eyes around the central square pattern, the stars will seem to move. The effect is due to a phenomenon that's colloquially called "eye jitter." The eyes, constantly moving by imperceptible amounts, amplify the difference between the two patterns and create the illusion of motion.

Warp Speed - How fast is it moving?

Place your hand on the center of this image, and the stars will appear to move faster!

Sidewalk Crater - This illusion's a blast.

Located in front of the Montparnasse Railway Station in Paris, this chalk drawing was created by Julian Beever to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a 2001 accident at a petrochemical plant. View the next slide to see the painting as a work-in-progress.

Green and Blue - Two colors or one?

Believe it or not, the "green" and "blue" colors in this spiral are exactly the same. They appear different because of the way our eyes perceive them in relation to the contrasting orange and pink stripes. Our eyes contain millions of 'cones' which decode light wavelengths to determine colors. When certain colors are combined, our brain is unable to process the information properly.

Ouichi Illusion - It seems to float.

Move your head around, and the circular pattern in the center will appear to move independently of its surroundings.

'Toy' Car - How big is it?

Believe it or not, this is a full-sized car. The illusion of small size is created by a special technique of shooting called 'tilt-shift,' as well as an oversized coin placed on its hood to fool our sense of scale.

Something Fishy- This fish is easy to catch.

What appears to be a fish is actually a meticulous painting on a person's hand.

Crazy Carpet - Not your garden-variety floor.

This weird carpet pattern appears on a videogame store in Paris. The floor is actually flat.

Pouring Faucets - Pour it on.

Because of distortion caused by the grey bars, this still image has a strobing effect that makes it appear as if the water is flowing.

Hidden Tiger - Find the feline.

One tiger is easy to see, but there's a hidden tiger too. Click to the next image for a solution.

Hint: Read the tiger's stripes.