Optical illusions are SO FUN – and if you really think about it, they’re kind of bonkers (so right up an AQUILAnaut’s street then, ed). The very idea that our own brains can be tricked into thinking they’re seeing something that they’re not? That’s bizarre! At present, there are three recognised primary types of optical illusions: literal illusions, cognitive illusions, and physiological illusions. A literal illusion is when two images are composed to appear to look like a single image – you will see one image at first, and then the second part will become apparent. Have you ever seen those images that seem to move? They can be highly colourful and made of pattern, or involve one black and white spiral that seems to move towards the middle of the page. By staring at the central dot in the middle, the movement will stop. That’s a physiological illusion. These occur when your brain is overstimulated by the high and low contrast elements. ‘Cognitive illusion’ is a term for several different types of illusions. Ultimately, these happen when our perception of something is altered because of ideas in our subconscious. This activity will involve you creating one of these! Become a photograph trickster, here!