This is an excellent example of the way in which our eyes deceive us.  In the street view shown below, the line AB looks to be much longer than line CD.  If you measure them, however, you will find that they are exactly the same length.

In the image below, the red object on the bottom looks significantly larger than the orange object on the top, right? Believe it or not, both objects are the exact same size.  This illusion was discovered by American psychologist Joseph Jastrow in 1889.  As such, it is often referred to as the Jastrow Illusion. EDIT:  […]

Do the two pillars on the Golden Gate Bridge appear to be parallel or skewed? The photograph on the left and right are identical.  Therefore, the pillars must be perfectly aligned and parallel.  For most people, it appears that the images are skewed.  That is, the picture on the right is at a much sharper […]

Does that matchbox on the left appear to be the exact same size as the one on the right? They certainly do not look to be the same size, but they are.  This animation was created by Digitalvaho/Fred van Houten after being inspired by an article written by Bruno Ernst.  It is a variation of […]

Presented below are three sport utility vehicles parked in a row.  Which one is the biggest? Would you believe that all three of these are identical and exactly the same size?  Perhaps you’ll want to measure them with something to find out for yourself. Remember, new illusions are posted daily Monday through Friday.  If you […]

Which orange circle in the image below is bigger? Believe it or not, both orange circles are the same size.  The larger circles surrounding the one on the left give it the appearance than it is smaller than the one on the right (surrounded by smaller circles).  This illusion is known as the Ebbinghaus illusion […]

Looking at the figure on the left, does the blue or red line appear to intersect with the black line to the left? While it doesn’t look like it, the red line is actually aligned with the black line as shown on the figure to the right.  This illusion is known as the Poggendorff Illusion […]