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Lab Recreates Terrell-Penrose Effect at Near Light Speed

10/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Terrell-Penrose effect has been recreated in a lab, showing objects appear rotated near light speed.
Researchers used ultra-fast laser pulses and high-speed cameras to visualize the illusion using a cube and a sphere.
When sliced, the reflected light was combined to simulate objects traveling at 99.9% of light speed.
The findings, published in Communications Physics, advance understanding and provide an educational tool.

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Story summary

The Terrell-Penrose effect has been recreated in a lab, showing objects appear rotated near light speed.
Researchers used ultra-fast laser pulses and high-speed cameras to visualize the illusion using a cube and a sphere.
When sliced, the reflected light was combined to simulate objects traveling at 99.9% of light speed.
The findings, published in Communications Physics, advance understanding and provide an educational tool.