AARO Explores Forced Perspective and Parallax in New UAP Analysis Paper

The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has published a new document addressing the impact of forced perspective and parallax effects on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) observations. Their paper, “Effect of Forced Perspective and Parallax View on UAP Observations“, offers insight into how these optical illusions can distort estimates of UAP size, speed, and location, providing important context for the public and analysts alike. They shared the document via X in the following post:

Forced perspective and parallax are two optical illusions that can influence the accuracy of UAP reports reviewed by AARO.

Read here for an overview of these illusions and their impact on observers’ perceptions of unknown objects: https://t.co/gya66BLn3H
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— All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (@DoD_AARO) May 8, 2024

The paper begins by acknowledging that no single explanation can account for all UAP reports, but it emphasizes that forced perspective and parallax often play a role. According to AARO, “the effects of forced perspective and parallax can frequently explain excessively large sizes or high speeds described in UAP reports.” Observers situated at a distance from the object they are viewing may struggle to gauge its accurate size and speed.

The paper explains forced perspective as a visual phenomenon that causes objects to appear different in size depending on their position relative to a reference point. The technique is familiar to many who have posed for photos where they appear to hold the Eiffel Tower or Leaning Tower of Pisa. In such cases, the distance between the camera and the objects can distort perceived sizes. AARO provides a practical illustration in their paper, emphasizing, “Forced perspective can cause large, faraway objects to appear smaller and closer than their actual size and position – or vice versa.”

Parallax causes the position of an object to be projected at different points against a background. As the observer moves, the changes in background projections cause the object to have an apparent motion.

Parallax is another visual phenomenon that can mislead observers. It refers to the apparent shift in an object’s position when viewed from different angles. When viewed from a moving vantage point, a stationary object may seem to move. As the paper elaborates, “Parallax effects cause the object to be ‘projected’ against three different points in the background… This projection illusion creates a perception of motion as the object appears to move across the river in the opposite direction of the observer.”

AARO explains how this effect can also be experienced through electronic sensors mounted on airborne platforms. When these sensors move quickly relative to a stationary object, the parallax view can make it appear as though the object is in motion. The faster the airborne observer travels, the more exaggerated the effect becomes.

AARO acknowledges that not all UAP observations are attributable to these phenomena, but highlights that, in many cases, forced perspective and parallax effects can lead to “inaccurate estimations of a UAP’s size, speed, and direction of travel.” Despite these optical challenges, single-observer UAP reports remain invaluable, as they often supplement additional sensor data and provide context for identifying and analyzing anomalies.

Ultimately, AARO’s information paper encourages UAP reporters to describe their observations in detail, noting that understanding these optical effects can aid them in making more accurate estimates of a UAP’s characteristics.