The Spinning Circles Illusion

Fix your gaze on the dot at the center of the image. Now, slowly move your head backward and forward. As you do, the circles will appear to spin. The dot provides a stable focal point, allowing our brains to anchor it in place. However, even before we move, the squares forming the circles seem to behave strangely, appearing to stand upright like a three-dimensional fence. Interestingly, if we continue staring directly at the circles while moving, they won’t spin—it’s only when they enter our peripheral vision that the illusion comes to life.