Irradiation illusion
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library
Irradiation illusion
Irradiation illusion. The white square against a black background on the left appears to be larger than the black square against a white background on the right. They are actually the same size. This is a demonstration of the irradiation effect. The fluid inside our eyes is not completely clear - consequently it will scatter light travelling to the retina (light detector at the rear of the eye). So brighter areas, which reflect more light, will spill over and encroach upon darker areas of the retinal image. Thus a light area will appear slightly larger than it actually is
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6440173
© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Ambiguity Ambiguous Contrast Fluid Light Neuroscience Optical Illusion Panoramic Perception Physiological Physiology Psychology Retina Scattering Squares Trick Trickery Vision Vision Visual Visual Trick
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Irradiation Illusion" showcases an intriguing optical phenomenon that challenges our perception of size and contrast. The image features two squares, one white against a black background on the left, and the other black against a white background on the right. At first glance, it appears that the white square is larger than its counterpart, but in reality, they are both identical in size. The illusion stems from the irradiation effect, which occurs due to the scattering of light by fluid inside our eyes. As light travels towards the retina (the light detector at the back of our eyes), it encounters this scattered light caused by imperfections in this fluid. Consequently, brighter areas reflecting more light spill over into darker areas of our retinal image. As a result of this visual trickery, lighter regions like the white square seem slightly larger than they actually are compared to darker regions such as the black square. This mesmerizing demonstration highlights how our brain's interpretation of visual information can be influenced by physiological factors. Through exploring concepts from psychology and neuroscience, this photograph delves into how perception can be ambiguous and subject to manipulation through simple variations in contrast and lighting conditions. It serves as a reminder that what we see may not always reflect reality accurately.
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