Parallax Paper PDF

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AI Summary

The document discusses the effects of forced perspective and parallax on UAP observations, explaining how these optical phenomena can lead to misinterpretations of size and speed in reports. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these effects for accurate UAP analysis.

Key Findings

- Forced perspective can distort perceived size and distance of UAPs. - Parallax can create the illusion of motion for stationary objects. - Accurate estimation of UAP characteristics is challenging without known references. - Single-observer reports remain valuable for comprehensive UAP analysis.

OCR Text

All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) An AARO Information Paper Effect of Forced Perspective and Parallax View on UAP Observations May 2024 Introduction While no single explanation or method of analysis can account for all unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) cases received by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the effects of forced perspective and parallax can frequently explain excessively large sizes or high speeds described in UAP reports. In many cases, the reporter may be positioned far from the object being observed while moving fast relative to it. Under these conditions, an observer can misinterpret the apparent size and speed of a UAP due to the two separate but related phenomena of forced perspective and parallax. This paper provides a basic overview of these phenomena and their impact on UAP observations. Forced Perspective and Range Estimation Figure 1: Example of forced perspective. The person in the foreground is much closer to the camera than the tower. Forced perspective is used in photography and filmmaking to give the illusion that an object is larger or smaller than its true size. Posing for a photograph while holding the Eiffel Tower by the tip or pushing against the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a classic example of this technique, as depicted in Figure 1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is approximately 190 feet tall, and an average Photo Source: Pexels 016 All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office Chief of Staff, AARO Authority: FY24 NDAA, now codified at 44 U.S.C. 2107 Date: 2/6/2025 Released in Full: X Case Number: 330UAP000016 Page determined to be Unclassified Reviewed by Chief of Staff, AARO IAW FY24 NDAA, Section 1841(a)(1)(C) Date: 2/6/2025 All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) person is between five and six feet tall. In this example, forced perspective distorts the distance between the tower and the person, causing both the person to appear larger and the tower to appear smaller than their true sizes. The example above demonstrates the effects of forced perspective. Recognizing the optical illusion in this case is easy because the actual sizes of both objects in the image are known. However, judging the sizes of unknown objects in the sky is harder. Observers will often compare unknown objects to clouds, trees, buildings, or other non-standard references to make estimates. Observers can, therefore, inaccurately perceive the distance between an object and a reference, leading to an inaccurate estimate of the object’s actual size. Making an error while estimating an object’s size or distance is even more likely if, unlike the Tower of Pisa, the object has no discernable features (e.g., windows, propellers, wings). Consider a case in which there are no references against which to compare an unknown object. In such a case, an observer must estimate its distance without any clues. Accurately estimating an object’s size and distance without a known reference is difficult. Forced perspective can cause large, faraway objects to appear smaller and closer than their actual size and position - or vice versa. The image in Figure 2 demonstrates this effect. A 10’ sphere with no features (e.g., windows, lines, surface details) positioned at an unknown distance from an observer may appear smaller or larger than its actual size, depending on the observer’s reference point and assumptions. Figure 2: The 10’ sphere on the far right is an unknown distance from the observer. If the observer estimates the range to be shorter, they will estimate the size to be smaller. 016 Page determined to be Unclassified Reviewed by Chief of Staff, AARO IAW FY24 NDAA, Section 1841(a)(1)(C) Date: 2/6/2025 All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Parallax Parallax view, or the parallax effect, is a phenomenon that can distort an object’s actual position when viewed against a background from different angles. A simple demonstration of the parallax effect is to hold a thumb out at arm’s length and close one eye. Note the location of your thumb relative to an object in the background. Now, without moving your thumb, close the first eye and open your other eye. Again, note the position of the thumb relative to the background. Though your thumb did not move, it appears to have changed locations due to the distance between your eyes. Moving your thumb closer to your eyes and repeating the process gives the impression that the thumb moved further relative to the background. Your thumb appears to move because each eye provides a different parallax view. Another way to experience multiple parallax views of a stationary object is for the observer to be in motion. As the observer moves, the parallax view changes. This change in perspective can cause a stationary object to appear to be in motion. The faster the observer moves, the more dramatic this effect can be. Electronic sensors can also be susceptible to these effects. Unlike in the thumb …

Metadata

Agency
—
Classification
UNCLASSIFIED
Department
NARA
Confidence85
Credibility90

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