Autokinesis

Autokinesis

Autokinesis is a visual phenomenon that occurs during nighttime when a stationary light appears to be moving after several seconds of staring at the light. This illusion is caused by the lack of reference points in the dark, which can cause a person’s visual system to perceive movement where there is none. Autokinesis can also be influenced by factors such as fatigue, stress, and anxiety. This term is commonly used in aviation and military contexts, as autokinesis can cause pilots and soldiers to misjudge the location and movement of objects in their surroundings, which can have serious consequences.