Optical Illusions

We keep this list updated with amazing optical illusions and related products.

Expanding Black Hole Optical Illusions

Viewers who stare into the centre of the black hole will instantly begin to see it expanding towards them, but in fact, the image is not moving at all. In actuality, it’s just the viewer’s brain firing back what it thinks is happening and predicting what we’ll see. According to a report in the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience journal, over 86% of people who look at the illusion see the shape expanding.

Anomalous Motion Phenomenon Optical Illusions

This mystical moving optical illusion was created by artist Akiyoshi Kitaoka. The design uses the ‘anomalous motion phenomenon’ to make it look as though it’s moving when in reality its a totally static image. Our brain tricks us into thinking the photo is moving because of how the image hits our retinas at a particular location.

Spinning Discs Optical Illusions

This is an illusion, featured in Clive Gifford’s book Eye Benders, and inspired by experimental psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka. No, like the first optical illusion we saw in our list, this is not a GIF but a still image – though the wheels appear to turn in front of your eyes. This happens because of how your eyes process an image, scanning it repeatedly while autofocusing and adjusting. Like in the previous example, there’s a way to make it stop – try focusing on one single wheel.

Eye Crossing Striped Affair Optical Illusion

Next up on our list of optical illusions is this eye-crossing striped affair, shared by Dr Michelle Dickinson on Twitter. It springs into life when you shake your head vigorously from side to side (carefully!). An image will start to appear amongst the lines. Which type of furry friend do you see appearing?