Time for Optical Illusions 4 Kids

Warning: This page contains some works of "anomalous motion illusion", which might make sensitive observers dizzy or sick. Should you feel dizzy, leave this page immediately.

Herman Verwaal
(c)2008
Used w/permission
Here is an anomalous motion illusion that was created for me by Herman. I thought that it was time to share it with y'all. If you don't see the motion, slowly move your eyes around the clock face.

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Electric Motor Optical Illusion

Warning: This page contains some works of "anomalous motion illusion", which might make sensitive observers dizzy or sick. Should you feel dizzy, leave this page immediately.

This illusion was created by my friend, Herman Verwaal of Exloo, Netherland. Herman took up the creation of optical illusions and pop art after he retired. Unfortunately Herman's time on this planet ended last December. He will be missed but not forgotten. Long ago he gave me access to a large library of illusions that he had created he also gave me permission to display them on my blogs. Here is the second that I have featured on this blog.


Herman Verwaal
(c)2008
Used w/permission

This is and example of an anomalous motion optical illusion. Also referred to as peripheral drift optical illusion. As your eyes scan the image the image appears to move. If however you manage to stare at just one point, without moving your eyes, all motion will stop.

That is why this is referred to as a peripheral drift illusion. As your eyes drift across the image the motion is seen out of your peripheral vision. A more detailed explanation of this type of illusion can be found here (as a PDF file).

Printer Alert----> If you have access to a color printer this illusion works on paper too! Print it out to amaze your family or friends.

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Home Grown Optical Illusions

Here is a type of forced perspective optical illusion you can create with your digital camera and family or friends to help you out. The plus using a digital camera is that you can review your shot and adjust the subject as required to get it right.

Shuttle launch delayed due to hungry giant.

Hot dog!
Flickr Artist: toastforbrekkie

Prenatal vitamins creating larger kids!

Giant Julia
Flickr Artist: dcbprime
First Pocket Monsters now Pocket Friends

originality
Flickr Artist: pictures and stuffs
Water out of a bottle?


Pour It On!
Flickr Artist: ihatefog
Her little brother had a growth spurt and is now out of control.


ARGH
Flickr Artist: robotstrut

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Anomalous Motion Optical Illusion

AKA Peripheral Drift Optical Illusion is characterized by anomalous motion that can be observed in peripheral vision.

Warning: This page contains some works of "anomalous motion illusion", which might make sensitive observers dizzy or sick. Should you feel dizzy, leave this page immediately.

The above is a serious warning that I borrowed from the master of anomalous optical illusions, Professor Akiyoshi Kitaoka, of Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan.

Professor Kitaoka wasn't the first to notice that certain images appear to move if viewed in your peripheral vision. But he has studied the effect and perfected the creation of these optical illusions.

The first anomalous motion optical illusion is one that I created.



Sea Sickness  (AKA The Purple Nurple)
by Walter Anthony
is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

(c)2007
Keep in mind that this is a static image. It is not animated in any way. but as your vision moves back and forth the center area seems to be moving toward the center (contracting) and the outer edges seem to be moving away (expanding) from the center. Also worth noting is that if you fixate on a point in the center and don't move your eyes this anomalous motion will stop.

The next optical illusion is by the professor himself. Take a look at these snakes, do they rotate? For an even more amazing experience click on the image. It should open in a new window and take up the entire screen. Remember this image is not animated.


"Rotating snakes #9"
Each snake appears to rotate.
Copyright A.Kitaoka 2004 (October 7)
Used w/permission
Printer Alert----> If you have access to a color printer this illusion works on paper too! Print out a large version to amaze your family or friends.

Explanation----> Professor Kitaoka has provided a more detailed explanation of the peripheral drift illusion in PDF.

Finally the last example is from a friend, Herman Verwaal from Exloo, Netherlands. Since he has retired he has taken to creating optical illusions of all types. Here is one of his anomalous motion optical illusions. Notice the attempted motion this time is side to side (lateral).

Herman Verwaal
(c)2008
Used w/permission

Well there you have examples of three forms of anomalous motion optical illusions.

1. Expanding/Contracting
2. Rotational
3. Lateral

A quick thank you to Professor Kitaoka and Herman Verwaal for allowing me to share these illusions with you.

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