Some experts project that the total economic damage from Hurricane Sandy could be as high as $50 billion.  One person affected by the storm was able to capture an optical illusion compliments of Sandy.  Can you tell what is going on in this picture?

If you stare at the center of this pattern designed by Ramiro Chavez Tovar, you should see a series of nonexistent black radial lines coming from the center of the image to the outer edge.  Some people have also reported seeing colors and peripheral rotation.

In honor of Halloween, an illusion involving something macabre seems appropriate today.  The following illusion is a skull afterimage illusion.  In order to get this illusion to work, stare at the X in the eye of the skull for thirty seconds.  Then look away from the image at a blank sheet of paper or wall and stare at that for another thirty seconds.  If you don’t see anything when you look away, try blinking your eyes.  Were you able to see the ghostly hovering skull?

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What do you see in the photograph below?  Are you sure?

This incredibly simple and deceptive photograph was provided courtesy of Joe Burull.  More of  his creative photographs can be found at JoeBurull.com.

Follow the instructions below to see a black and white photo of a building entrance appear in full color.  Then, as the illusion starts to wear off, the colored picture turns back to black and white.

If you are looking for additional afterimage illusions like this one, make sure to check out the Jesus illusion and the Lilac Chaser illusion.  Both of these illusions incorporate similar principles to provide amazing effects.

Ambiguity is defined as doubtfulness or uncertainty with respect to interpretation.  In the image below, a string is threaded through a series of tubes.  Do you notice anything doubtful or uncertain as you try to interpret how this string is threaded through the tubes?

This image was designed by Kaia Nao.

In the world of finance, a bull market is one that is increasing while a bear market is one that is in decline.  Advertising agency WHYBIN/TBWA/TEQUILA of Melbourne, Australia designed this poster for E*Trade that utilizes an Escher-esque tessellation pattern made up of both bulls and bears.  The tagline for the poster is ‘Anyway you look at it, opportunities are out there.’  Is the bull or bear more prominent to you?  Perhaps this reflects your market sentiment?