Etymology . The Zöllner illusion is a classic optical illusion named after its discoverer, German astrophysicist Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner.In 1860, Zöllner sent his discovery in a letter to physicist and scholar J. C. Poggendorff, editor of Annalen der Physik und Chemie, who subsequently discovered the related Poggendorff illusion.. Psychology Definition of ZOLLNER ILLUSION: a visual illusion wherein parallel lines seem to diverge whenever one of them is intersected by short diagonal lines slanted to one direction, and the Zollner illusion. Zöllner illusion (plural Zöllner illusions) An optical illusion in which parallel lines are made to appear convergent or divergent by means of oblique intersections. In the Zöllner illusion, the black lines are actually straight and parallel to each other, although they are not perceived to be so. First discovered in 1860 by a German astrophysicist named Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner, this illusion presents a series of oblique lines crossed with overlapping short lines. The global figural characteristics in the Zöllner illusion. Perception, ... A psychological definition of illusion. It relies upon the sharp transition between Fraser illusion (attraction) and Zöllner illusion (repulsion) at the knee-points of the octagon. The Zöllner illusion is another commonly demonstrated optical illusion. In the Hermann grid illusion, you will perceive circular grey patches at the intersections of the white grid lines. Other articles where Zöllner illusion is discussed: illusion: Visual perceptual illusions: In the Zöllner illusion, the cross-hatching disturbs the perception of parallel lines. Zöllner’s illusion had its origin in a cloth pattern that he saw in his father’s factory. Discovered by German astrophysicist Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner. Noun . These grey patches are not actually there, and disappear when you look directly at them. In a related experience, linear perspective… A figure seen touching converging lines, as in the Ponzo illusion, seems larger than another figure of the same size placed between the lines where they are farther apart. Definition of Perception ... Meyer's Optical Illusions | Zöllner's Optical Illusions | Müller-Lyer's Optical Illusions | Poggendorf's Optical Illusions Hering's Optical Illusions Place your mouse pointer over the image in order to envision the illusion! Now check out the lower set of four bars. The Poggendorff Illusion was discovered by Johann Christian Poggendorff (1796 - 1877), a German physicist. (That’s the Zöllner illusion). Wikipedia . He discoverd it the drawings of Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner (1834 - 1882), a German astrophysicist with a keen interest in optical illusions. The oblique lines look as if they are crooked and will diverge. The slanted lines cause the illusion that the blue lines are not parallel. Zollner illusion definition: a spatial illusion in which parallel lines intersected by short oblique lines are... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples The Zöllner illusion is a classic optical illusion named after its discoverer, German astrophysicist Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner.In 1860, Zöllner sent his discovery in a letter to physicist and scholar Johann Christian Poggendorff, editor of Annalen der Physik und Chemie, who subsequently discovered the related Poggendorff illusion, in the original drawing (Table VIII Figure 4) of Zöllner. Zöllner illusion. For me, they look like they’ve rotated in just the same direction – but that’s odd, because I’ve mirror reflected the stripes behind them, so that the stripes have changed direction.