"swimming" of the planet to telescope vibration and eye fatigue, it is likely that the autokinetic effect is also being described: In aviation The effect is well known as an illusion affecting pilots who fly at night. It is particularly dangerous for pilots flying in formation or rejoining a refueling tanker at night. Steps that can be taken to prevent or overcome the phenomenon include: Shifting your gaze frequently to avoid prolonged fixation on light sources. Attempting to view a target with a reference to stationary structures or landmarks. Making eye, head, and body movements to eliminate the illusion. Monitoring the flight instruments to prevent or resolve any perceptual conflict. In combat In his book documenting the opening stages of the second Gulf War from his position embedded with the 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion, Evan Wright documents an incident during which, at night in the Iraqi desert, the Marines observed the lights of a town approximately 40 kilometers away. These lights appeared to be moving and were suspected of belonging to a large combat force moving out to attack the marines. An airstrike was called in on the estimated position of the lights—estimated to be around 15 kilometers away—which resulted in no enemy assets being destroyed. It was later suggested by Major Shoup of the battalion that this misidentification was a result of autokinesis. In the HBO mini-series based on the book, this information was imparted to the viewer by the character of Sergeant Brad Colbert, who had correctly deduced that it was a town in both versions. Night fighter and night bomber crews during the Second World War reported encounters with mysterious aerial phenomena, nicknamed foo fighters, which may have been caused by autokinesis or a similar effect. Autostasis The opposite effect of autokinesis is autostasis. It is when a moving bright light in a dark sky appears stationary. See also Spatial disorientation References Bibliography Adams, H. F. (1912). Autokinetic sensations. Psychological Monographs, 14, 1-45. Schweitzer, G. (1857). Über das Sternschwanken. Bulletin de la Société impériale des naturalistes de Moscou. 30: 440-457; 31: 477-500. Source: Skeptic, Volume 17. No. 2 2012, pages 38–43. Sherif, M. (1935). A study of some social factors in perception. Archives of Psychology, 27(187) . U.S. Air Force (2000). Flying Operations, Instrument Flight Procedures. Air Force Manual 11-217. Volume 1, 29 December 2000. Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine, second edition, by Roy L. DeHart. Port City