All articles tagged with #optical illusion
The marble berry from Africa appears blue due to a structural optical illusion caused by twisted fibers on its surface, which reflect blue light intensely without containing any blue pigment, making it a natural example of iridescence and structural coloration used to attract birds for seed dispersal.
A rare atmospheric optical event in the Czech Republic, resembling a glowing eye, was captured using artificial snowmaking ice crystals, highlighting how human-made environments can enhance natural phenomena and offering new avenues for atmospheric research.
Physicists in Vienna used ultra-fast lasers and cameras to simulate the Terrell-Penrose optical illusion, demonstrating how objects moving at near-light speeds appear rotated due to light's travel time, confirming a century-old prediction of special relativity in a lab setting.
The new Liquid Glass UI in iOS 26 creates a subtle tilt illusion on app icons, especially on dark wallpapers, causing disorientation for some users. Many are discussing this optical illusion online, and some suggest disabling certain accessibility features to reduce the effect. While Apple aimed for a unified, fluid design, the lack of customization options has led to mixed reactions.
A photo of Sofia Vergara in a plunging dress caused confusion online, with many initially thinking she had a wardrobe malfunction. The apparent mishap was actually an optical illusion created by the placement of a microphone and her dress's deep cutout, which fooled viewers into zooming in and inspecting the image closely.
A man’s relatives searched for two days for a missing wallet, only to find it camouflaged in plain sight in the bathroom due to an optical illusion, highlighting how easily objects can blend into their surroundings.
Apple is celebrating its 20th anniversary of Podcasts with a selection of top shows and a clever optical illusion graphic that has caught people's attention, highlighting its long-standing influence in digital media.
Tim from Grand Illusions demonstrates how overlapping dot patterns on paper and acetate, when slightly rotated, create mesmerizing moiré patterns that resemble cosmic spiral galaxies, showcasing a simple yet profound optical illusion.
Cynthia Erivo stunned at the Mexico City premiere of 'Wicked' in a Thom Browne gown that created an optical illusion, making it appear as though she had four arms. The dress, featuring hands extending from the shoulders, was a standout moment on the red carpet, drawing attention alongside co-star Ariana Grande.
NASA has discovered an adorable optical illusion in space, featuring two distant galaxies that resemble a penguin guarding an egg. The galaxies, known as Arp 142, are 23 million light-years away and are being gradually drawn closer together by gravity. The image, captured by the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes, shows the penguin galaxy, officially named NGC 2936, being distorted by its neighbor, NGC 2937. The combination of visible and infrared light from the telescopes helps astronomers understand the life cycles of galaxies.
An optical illusion challenges viewers to spot a hidden zebra among a group of giraffes, promoting focus and mental stimulation. Puzzles, including picture puzzles, are beneficial for brain health, potentially boosting IQ and aiding Alzheimer's patients by keeping the brain active. Engaging in such activities can improve memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function, making them a valuable form of entertainment and mental exercise.
A TikTok creator, Mia Yilin, shared an optical illusion that can reveal whether you are a punctual and organized person or someone who values freedom and adventure. If you see gummy bears first, you are likely organized and value productivity, while seeing grapes first suggests a longing for adventure and a peaceful connection with nature. Mia has gained popularity for her accurate interpretations of various optical illusions on TikTok.
A viral iPhone wedding photo that appeared to show the subject with different poses in the mirrors has been explained. The photo, which sparked speculation about a glitch in the iPhone's computational photography processing, was actually taken in panorama mode. The photo's metadata revealed that it had a different resolution and aspect ratio than the native settings of the iPhone 12, indicating that it was a panorama shot. The lack of the panorama symbol in the photo's info section led to confusion. The explanation highlights the importance of completing a full sweep when using panorama mode on an iPhone.
People in North Carolina observed a glowing ring around the moon, known as a "moon halo" or "22° halo." This optical illusion is caused by the refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, creating a large bright ring. The halo is a sign of high, thin cirrus clouds containing millions of tiny ice crystals, which must be oriented and positioned correctly for the halo to appear.
Saturn's iconic rings will become invisible from Earth by March 2025 due to an optical illusion caused by the planet's tilt within its orbit. However, they will be visible again by 2032 when Saturn rotates to showcase the other side of its rings. This phenomenon occurs every 13.5 to 15.7 years. The rings, composed of ice, rocky debris, and dust, may potentially be lost permanently in approximately 300 million years.