afterimages
Retinal persistence phenomena
Afterimages are visual impressions that persist after the original stimulus has been removed.
Stare at a bright light, then look away—the lingering spot you see is an afterimage.
They can appear in the same colors as the original (positive) or in complementary colors (negative).
The term extends figuratively to any sensory or emotional impression that lingers: The afterimages of war haunted him for years.
Mind's retention capacity
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
- impressionEffect on the mind
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
- recallMemory retrieval act
retention · trauma · flashback · intrusive · residual · echo · remnant · trace
Light-sensing tissue layer
- photoreceptorsCells sensing light
- bleachingChemical color removal
- phospheneVision without external light
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
burn-in · negative · flashbulb · adaptation · glare · halo · afterglow · trailing
Thin cylindrical shafts
- conesTapering geometric solids
- visualOf or concerning sight
- ocularOf the organ of sight
- eyestrainOverworked vision discomfort
stare · gaze · blink · sight · perception · cortex · neurons · stimulus
Insubstantial apparition
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- wraithSpectral apparition of someone
shadowy · fading · translucent · fleeting · vanishing · illusory · insubstantial · trace
memory
Mind's retention capacity
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
- impressionEffect on the mind
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
recall · retention · trauma · flashback · intrusive · residual · echo · remnant · trace · lasting
retina
Light-sensing tissue layer
- photoreceptorsCells sensing light
- bleachingChemical color removal
- phospheneVision without external light
persistence · burn-in · negative · flashbulb · adaptation · glare · halo · afterglow · trailing · flicker
rods
Thin cylindrical shafts
eyestrain · stare · gaze · blink · sight · perception · cortex · neurons · stimulus · fixation
phantom
Insubstantial apparition
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
wraith · shadowy · fading · translucent · fleeting · vanishing · illusory · insubstantial · trace · residue
- sensessight, smell, taste, hearing, touch
- optical illusionsoptical illusion, optical illusions, trompe l'oeil, impossible stairs, duck-rabbit
- Hallucinationsvisual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, visual hallucination, auditory hallucination, seeing things
- visual phenomenaoptical illusion, phosphenes, mirage, rainbow, scotoma
- trip effectshallucinations, visuals, euphoria, ego death, synesthesia
- sensory adaptationhabituation