Motion Capture of Stationary Lines by Apparently Moving Terminators

Several studies and observations of a new form of motion capture are reported: frames containing identical rows of evenly spaced vertical lines are alternated in a standard apparent-motion paradigm. However, one vertical line in the first frame has short horizontal ‘terminators’ attached; the terminators are shifted to a different line in the second frame. Alternation that includes an unpatterned, nonzero interstimulus interval results in perceived motion of a vertical line along with the terminators. This motion can ‘cross over’ other stationary vertical lines and persists when light-filled interstimulus intervals and gaps between lines and terminators are introduced. It can also be obtained with different line sizes and spacings. The present motion capture does not appear to rely on a global-frame effect. Alternative explanations are considered.