Apparent movement induced by afterimages.
A small light source viewed in the dark through an afterimage produced by an electronic flash may appear to move along short random paths. Experiment 1 shows that this is not an instance of the autokinetic phenomenon, and experiment 2 shows that it is not related to the 'fluttering hearts' phenomenon. On the basis of experiments 1 and 3 it is concluded that small-scale ocular drifts, microsaccades, and possibly tremors cause the whole afterimage to move. The afterimage serves as a frame of reference and induces movement of the light source.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003118:Color Perception; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D005366:Figural Aftereffect; D006801:Humans; D007088:Illusions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception; D009903:Optical Illusions