Physicists capture rare illusion of an object moving at 99.9% the speed of light

An image of two shapes made out of red light. On the left, a rectangular prism. On the right, a series of vertical lines that form the shape of a circle.

Using ultra-fast laser pulses and special cameras, scientists have simulated an optical illusion that appears to defy Einstein's theory of special relativity.

One consequence of special relativity is that fast-moving objects should appear shortened in the direction of motion — a phenomenon known as Lorentz contraction. This effect has been confirmed indirectly in particle accelerator experiments.