The autokinetic effect is a visual phenomenon in which a stationary point of light in an otherwise dark or featureless setting appears to move, even though it is not actually moving, because motion perception normally requires a fixed reference point and darkness provides none. The effect was first documented in 1799 by Alexander von Humboldt, who observed it while watching stars and initially believed the movement he saw was real.
Facts
Core ClaimThe autokinetic effect is a phenomenon of visual perception in which a stationary, small point of light in an otherwise dark or featureless environment appears to move. 1 First Described Year Classification
Type of Phenomenon Sources
1. Autokinetic effect, Wikipedia
opening definition paragraph
The autokinetic effect (also referred to as autokinesis and the autokinetic illusion) is a phenomenon of visual perception in which a stationary, small point of light in an otherwise dark or featureless environment appears to move.
History section
It was first recorded in 1799 by Alexander von Humboldt who observed illusory movement of a star in a dark sky, although he believed the movement was real.
lead section, phenomenon-kind classification
The autokinetic effect (also referred to as autokinesis and the autokinetic illusion) is a phenomenon of visual perception in which a stationary, small point of light in an otherwise dark or featureless environment appears to move.
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