LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

Ed "Zorz" Hafizov

@zorzstudios.com

#DudiBenSimon sees the #world differently, turning ordinary scenes into #PlayfulIllusions (20 pics) zorz.it/miMsR | #SaumyaRatan #IsraeliArtist #PlayfulImages #extraordinary #VisualIllusions #OpticalIllusions #compositions

July 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM

John

@krantzj.bsky.social

This illusion is called Mach Bands. See the alt for the previous image for more. These bars, two of which are highlighted below, are not there. They are created in our brain. #ECK #BlueSkyArtShow #Edge #MachBands #VisualIllusions #SensationAndPerception

April 18, 2026 at 4:03 PM

John

@krantzj.bsky.social

One more before we get to some photos. Look at the image below. Notice the two white bars next to the light area and the dark bars right at the edge of the outer gray? Guess what? #ECK #BlueSkyAretShow #Edge #SensationAndPerception #VisualIllusions

These are Mach bands, credited to the early 20th Century Physicist, Erst Mach (the for whom the unit of the speed of sound is name). The image stars as a dark gray then gradually gets light to a light grey and then all this reverses. At the edge of the dark gray most will see a darker grey bar. At the edge of the light are most people see a white or lighter bar.

April 18, 2026 at 4:01 PM

John

@krantzj.bsky.social

The luminance (light level) in the two red circles is the same. But in the circle on the right, the edges are gradual so we don't see the circle nearly as well. #ECK #BlueSkyArtShow #Edge #SensationAnPerception #VisualIllusions

April 18, 2026 at 3:40 PM

John

@krantzj.bsky.social

3/ Let's reverse the situation. Look at the two circles below. They are equally intense. I promise. #ECK #BlueSkyArtShow #Edge #SensationAndPerception #VisualIllusions

Two circles. The one on the right is hard to see. It seems barely there.

April 18, 2026 at 3:36 PM

John

@krantzj.bsky.social

2/ This is the Craik-Cornsweet-O'Brien Illusion. Both circle look very similar but actually the luminance (light level) inside both red circles are the same. The circle on the right is made with a clever bit of edge work. #ECK #BlueSkyArtShow #Edge #SensationAndPerception #VisualIllusions

April 18, 2026 at 3:35 PM

John

@krantzj.bsky.social

I am sorry, but I need to geek about this weeks #BlueSkyArtShow topic of #Edge. It is how the visual system processes edges that was a key step in my deciding to become an vision scientist. To start, look at the two circles. See more in alt. #ECK #EastCoastKin #VisualIllusions

This is the Craik-Cornsweet-O'Brien Illusion. A classic developed by these researchers based on critical research in how the eye processes the light entering in by John Kuffler at Harvard at the time. The circle on the left is normal. On the right the circle is made by edges. In a sense it is not there.

April 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM

John

@krantzj.bsky.social

This is a my version of a classic demonstration of Size Constancy by Edward Boring. The two images of the woman on the right are the same size. Check it out. (More in alt of the second image). #Knowledge #SensoryArt #EastCoastKin #SizeConstancy #EdwardBoring #VisualIllusions

Image of two women sitting in a hallway, one is sitting further back.

Compare the actual size of the image of the woman on the right here to her image in the first photograph. Physically they are the same size. In fact is the same image, cropped out of the first photo and pasted into the second photo. So how does she look so much smaller? This is not the place for an extended discussion, so simply: As objects get farther away, they get smaller on our retina. Just think that the Sun is much larger than Earth but is about the same size as the Moon in the night sky because it is farther away. To compensate for this fact, our visual system uses a variety of depth information to compensate for that fact, up to a point. In the first photo, the woman on the right looks farther away so she looks normal size in our brain. In the second image, she is lace at the same depth plain as the woman on the left. Now, you notice how much smaller an image she is. This is called size constancy.

September 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM

realbrandolorian.bsky.social

@realbrandolorian.bsky.social

Discover the fascinating science behind why people perceive the infamous dress as different colors. #ColorPerception #TheDress #VisualIllusions #ScienceExplained #NYUStudy #BrainScience #ColorDebate #Psychology #VisualCues #InternetMystery

February 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM

realbrandolorian.bsky.social

@realbrandolorian.bsky.social

Discover the shocking secret of the 'Old Fisherman' painting! This artwork transforms dramatically when viewed with a mirror. #HiddenArt #OldFisherman #ArtMystery #DevilInTheDetail #MirrorReveal #ArtHistory #IntriguingFinds #VisualIllusions #ArtSecrets #DiscoverTheUnseen

February 21, 2025 at 7:02 PM

GetNews.me

@getnews-me.bsky.social

Researchers built a synthetic geometric-illusion dataset as supervision, achieving generalization gains for CNN and transformer models on fine textures and complex edges. Read more: https://getnews.me/geometric-visual-illusions-boost-vision-model-generalization/ #visualillusions #computervision

Geometric Visual Illusions Boost Vision Model Generalization

September 20, 2025 at 3:38 AM

Hacker News Companion

@hncompanion.com

Users shared fascinating personal accounts of the illusion, describing vivid, "impossible" colors unlike anything seen before. This highlights the subjective and often surprising nature of visual perception. #VisualIllusions 4/6

July 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Dawood Tech

@dawoodtechs.bsky.social

Can You Trust Your Mind?
Your mind might be your biggest liar. 🤯
Find out how 10 illusions can shatter your trust in what you see.
👉 dawoodtech.com/your-brain-i...
#VisualIllusions #Perception #MindOverMatter #BrainFacts #ThinkDifferent #DeepScience #DawoodTech

October 27, 2025 at 7:10 PM

David Webb

@allaboutpsychology.bsky.social

Today in Psychology (5th Feb 1857), Franz Carl Müller-Lyer was born. Renowned for devising and giving his name to the Müller-Lyer illusion.

www.all-about-psychology.com/optical-illu...

#OpticalIllusions #VisualIllusions #psychology #PsychologyStudent #PsychologyMajor #PsychologyFacts

February 5, 2026 at 7:50 AM

MIRAGE Illusions Lab

@mirage-labs.bsky.social

#visualillusions set up and ready to go for #weirdpsychology @notts_psych @BPSOfficial @GOJMuseum

February 6, 2025 at 5:17 PM

Brian Foster

@glassalmanac.bsky.social

👀 What do YOU see? These mind-bending images reveal more than just pictures—they expose the quirks of your perception! 🧠✨ Is it an animal or something else? Dive into the mystery and discover what fuels your view! 🔍 #PerceptionRevolution #VisualIllusions

What Pops Out in These Images? See for Yourself!

Researchers have recently released “merged” images intended to demonstrate how our lifestyle can impact our perception. In these images, it’s possible to see both animals and ... Continue Reading →

glassalmanac.com

August 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM

ECVP 2026

@ecvp.bsky.social

🎭 Have an idea for an illusion to showcase at #ECVP2026?

The deadline to submit to this year's Illusion Night is fast approaching! Make sure to send in your submission by 30 June 2026.

⏰ Deadline: 30 June 2026

#VisionScience #VisualIllusions #PerceptionResearch

June 18, 2026 at 9:19 AM