“Face on Mars” photographed by Viking 1

Steve and I  write the Illusions column for Scientific American Mind. Our article in the September/October issue, already released, discusses pareidolia: a type of illusion in which a vague or random stimulus seems distinct and meaningful.

A preview of the article is available on the Scientific American website.

 

 

A Faithful Resemblance

When seeing is believing

By Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen L. Macknik

 

Also, don’t miss Phil Plait’s disquieting account of showering with Lenin.

What’s your favorite pareidolia?

 

-Susana Martinez-Conde