During a two-hour drive yesterday, I kept searching (vainly) for a reproduction of my original observation about the wagon-wheel illusion. It was a sunny day, so that variable differed. But I'm not thinking that the suggestion by Dennis Goff that the speed - of the moving observer as well as the wheel observed - might be a factor. But most importantly, I'm convinced that the rear-view mirror had SOMETHING to do with the effect.
I challenge others, while they're driving, to CAREFULLY look in the rear-view mirror as a truck is approaching you - in the passing lane. What you're looking for is the kind of big truck with those lug-nut things on the front wheel. (Keep watching the road in between those glances!!) What's interesting is that the spinning lug-nuts on the wheel look different in the mirror than they do when you glance at them through the window as the truck gets closer. I didn't get the wagon-wheel effect, but they seemed to spin in an interesting way that I didn't see when watching through the window. I recalled again the possibility that it's the rear-view mirror, which has different engineering design than the side mirrors because it can be adjusted for nighttime, that might be involved. Please be careful when doing this. I don't want to read about anyone being involved in an accident while doing scientific research!! Beth Benoit University System of New Hampshire --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
