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5 incredible optical illusions that challenge how you see the world

5 incredible optical illusions that challenge how you see the world

Mint26-05-2025

5 incredible optical illusions that challenge how you see the world| In Photos
5 Photos . Updated: 26 May 2025, 12:23 PM IST
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Optical illusions reveal how our brains interpret visual data and fill in missing details — sometimes incorrectly. Science still cannot fully explain why certain illusions trick our perception.
1/5The café wall illusion makes straight lines between staggered dark and light blocks appear curved due to how our brains perceive contrasting colours. Named by scientist Richard Gregory after a Bristol café, the effect disappears when colours with lower contrast are used. (Pinterest )
2/5The Penrose triangle is a famous impossible object illusion that cannot exist in 3D space. Lionel Penrose popularised it in the 1950s. Dutch artist M.C. Escher famously incorporated such impossible shapes in works like Relativity and Belvedere. (Pinterest )
3/5The checker shadow illusion shows that squares A and B are the same colour, despite appearing different due to a shadow effect. Created by Edward Adelson in 1995, it highlights how our visual system interprets context to process images. (Pinterest )
4/5The Necker cube is a multistable shape that can be perceived from multiple viewpoints due to the lack of visual orientation cues. (BBC Science Focus )

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Is it a moon? Is it a dwarf planet? Well, it's Charon, and it could well be both!
Is it a moon? Is it a dwarf planet? Well, it's Charon, and it could well be both!

The Hindu

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  • The Hindu

Is it a moon? Is it a dwarf planet? Well, it's Charon, and it could well be both!

Charon's discovery The story of Charon's discovery takes us back to 1978 – a time when even astronomers were still thinking that Pluto was a planet. Little was known about Pluto and its system, but all that was about to change in the decades that followed. On the morning of June 22, American astronomer James Christy already had his head whirling around. If you were under the impression that he was zeroing in on the solution for an astronomical problem, you couldn't be further from the truth. Christy was sharpening his plans to move his house, getting ready for a week's leave from the U.S. Naval Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona – his workplace. It was under these circumstances that Robert Harrington, his boss, handed him a set of six photographs of Pluto. Christy and Harrington were looking to refine Pluto's orbit around the sun – a journey that takes Pluto 248 Earth years. Pluto's average distance from the sun is 5.9 billion km. The technology available at that time meant that even the best photographs of it hardly revealed anything. What's more, these six images – acquired in pairs over three nights in the month between April 13 and May 12 – were labelled as 'defective.' Odd blobs The reason why these pictures were labelled thus owed to the fact that they revealed Pluto to be oddly elongated. Viewing them under a microscope, Christy noticed that the fuzzy blob that was to be Pluto stretched in a northern direction in two of those pairs, while the final pair showed a southward direction. The defects were attributed either to atmospheric distortion or improper optical alignment in the telescope used for observations. After ruling out an explosion on Pluto as an unlikely explanation – especially as it lasted a month – Christy searched for other plausible reasons. There was a chance that Pluto itself was irregular in shape. Or could there be an unseen moon, even though one of his former professors, celebrated Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, had searched for exactly the same decades earlier without any success? When Christy went over to the archives to check through older plates from 1965 onwards, there it was... the same elongation. What's more, all these images had also been dismissed as defective on every occasion. Correct conclusions Christy and Harrington, however, realised that they were onto something. By reviewing all the images with the elongations, they were able to state that the bulge occurred with a predictable frequency. This frequency of the unseen moon's orbital period – 6.4 Earth days – matched with what astronomers believed to be Pluto's rotational period, suggesting a synchronously locked binary system. The duo ruled out other possible reasons for the bulge and concluded correctly that Pluto had another companion at a distance of 19,640 km. The discovery of 'S/1978 P1' was announced by them through the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on July 7 and their findings were published in the Astronomical Journal. What started out as reviewing six defective images, served as the seeds for a whole new discovery. As Christy himself once pointed out, 'Discovery is where the scientist touches nature in its least predictable aspect.' What's in a name? As the discoverer, Christy wanted to exercise his rights for naming Pluto's companion. And he had his mind set on naming it after his wife. The Naval Observatory he worked for had suggested the name Persephone, the wife of Hades. Hades, the god of the underworld in Greek mythology, was the equivalent of the Roman god Pluto after which it is named. As luck would have it, Christy came across a reference to Charon, a boatman who ferried the dead across a river in the underworld to Hades. Charon's close mythical association with Hades, or Pluto, made it a great option for the newly discovered astronomical object. It was the perfect option for Christy as his wife's name was Charlene. In addition to sharing the first four letters, 'Char' was the nickname that friends and family used to call his wife. Just like how protons and electrons have the 'on' suffix, Christy saw Charon as 'Char' with the suffix 'on' and submitted his name. Eclipses and occultations By the time this name was accepted by IAU in January 1986, Pluto and Charon had a series of mutual eclipses and occultations. Studying them enabled astronomers in general, and Harrington in particular, to confirm the existence of Charon as he observed the eclipses and occultations to occur as predicted. Observing Pluto and Charon in this manner also enabled astronomers to arrive at Charon's diameter to be about 1,200 km, while also arriving at better estimates of the size and mass of Pluto. From a small dot in a photograph, Charon had become much much more – almost a world in its own right. It definitely meant the world to Christy in more ways than one, as he was also able to gift his wife the moon! Charlene Christy probably summed it the best when she said 'A lot of husbands promise their wives the moon, but Jim actually delivered.' Charon fact sheet Most of what we know about Charon, or even Pluto for that matter, is thanks to NASA's New Horizons mission. Approved in 2001 as the first flyby of Pluto and its largest moon Charon, it was launched in January 2006. This was months before IAU's decision in August the same year to demote Pluto's designation from a planet to a dwarf planet. Despite the fact that Pluto was plutoed, the mission went on, providing us invaluable information. Before New Horizons' closest approach to Pluto on July 14, 2015, the spacecraft captured plenty of images of Charon. 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Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice sparks local fury and protests, here's why
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Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice sparks local fury and protests, here's why

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Top 10 strongest female anime characters of all time from Naruto to Dragon Ball Super
Top 10 strongest female anime characters of all time from Naruto to Dragon Ball Super

Time of India

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  • Time of India

Top 10 strongest female anime characters of all time from Naruto to Dragon Ball Super

Anime has created some of the strongest female anime characters ever produced in fiction—warriors, goddesses, and strategists who redefine battles and storylines alike. These strong anime heroines shatter traditional molds, possessing powers that vary from supernatural devastation to unmatched intellect and fighting ability. Whether bending time, merging with energy, or overpowering enemies with sheer brute force, they are the embodiment of power and grit. From godly figures such as Kaguya Otsutsuki to all-around fighters such as Jolyne Cujoh, this list counts down the top 10 most powerful female anime characters who have left an indelible impression on anime history. Powerful female anime characters Character Anime Power Abilities Kaguya Otsutsuki Naruto Reality warping, interdimensional travel, energy blasts, memory erasure, nature manipulation, hypnosis, telepathy Lucy Elfen Lied Psychokinetic Vectors, telekinesis, mass destruction, enhanced strength, Diclonius virus transmission Caulifla & Kale (Kefla) Dragon Ball Super Super Saiyan transformation, berserker mode, fusion, massive energy attacks, crater-making power Genkai Yu Yu Hakusho Spirit Wave technique, energy projection, spiritual energy manipulation, combat reflexes, energy inheritance Biscuit Krueger Hunter x Hunter Nen enhancement, transformation into muscular form, superhuman strength, advanced combat skills Setsuno Toriko Air heating (microwaving), pressure manipulation, beast-hunting strength, fear-based intimidation Nezuko Kamado Demon Slayer Blood Demon Art (explosive flames), regeneration, size alteration, super strength, sunlight resistance Android 18 Dragon Ball Z Infinite energy, super strength, energy blasts, flight, precision fighting, durability Erza Scarlet Fairy Tail Requip Magic, 100+ magical armors, 200+ weapons, weaponized magic, tactical versatility Jolyne Cujoh JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Stand: Stone Free (string manipulation), body deconstruction, trap setting, surveillance, stealth movement Top female warriors in anime and their abilities Kaguya Otsutsuki | Anime: Naruto Source: Pinterest Kaguya Otsutsuki is the undisputed queen of anime power. As the original user of the first chakra and the heavenly creature that ate the God Tree's fruit, she is literally a goddess with a formidable array of powers. From dimension travel and control over nature to memory erasure and telepathy, Kaguya is the personification of omnipotence. Her abilities range from reality warping, energy blasts that can disintegrate enemies, and an aura of hypnosis that can subjugate civilizations. Even Naruto and Sasuke together weren't enough to take her down without the help of a god. When it comes to sheer, universe-ending power, Kaguya stands alone. Lucy | Anime: Elfen Lied Source: YouTube Lucy is not just a genetically altered murderer—she's a representation of psychological trauma, evolution, and devastation. The most evolved Diclonius, Lucy has at her disposal invisible arms known as "Vectors" that cut, crush, and annihilate everything in their vicinity. These Vectors grow strong over time and are capable of leveling mass destruction, destroying buildings, and producing humongous explosions. Her presence is a danger to humanity, as interaction with her kind causes a virus that gives birth to more Diclonii. Although she has a pathetic history, Lucy's power is raw, merciless, and catastrophic. Caulifla & Kale | Anime: Dragon Ball Super Source: Pinterest The first two female Super Saiyans of Dragon Ball history, Caulifla and Kale, are a volatile pair even without being fused. Kale's berserker form releases earth-destroying power that can withstand Goku's Super Saiyan Blue Kamehameha. Together, when fused into Kefla, the two are one of the strongest warriors in the Dragon Ball world, and Goku has to use Ultra Instinct in order to defeat her. Their combination of power is more than mere power, but battle chemistry spawned by Saiyan instincts makes them an unstoppable force that almost redefines the power level of the series. Genkai | Anime: Yu Yu Hakusho Source: Pinterest Genkai may look like a weak old lady on the outside, but her spirit energy would reduce cities to rubble. A great martial artist, Genkai overwhelms the Dark Tournament and leaves her legacy behind in the form of the Spirit Wave technique. In her prime, she's nearly as strong as Toguro in his demon form, with lightning-fast reflexes and brutal energy attacks. Even in old age, she crushes foes who underestimate her. Genkai's strength lies not only in power but in wisdom and endurance, making her one of the most balanced and formidable fighters in anime. Biscuit Krueger | Anime: Hunter x Hunter Source: Pinterest Don't be deceived by her boyish looks—Biscuit Krueger is a Double-Star Hunter with godlike physical strength and top-tier Nen powers. Her true form is a hulking warrior with crushing force and combat mastery. Bisky can fight equally well as the best brawlers in the series and has trained both Gon and Killua into world-class warriors. Her combination of brains, combat skill, and raw power make her an unorthodox and formidable opponent. Setsuno | Anime: Toriko Source: Pinterest A legendary chef with god-tier beast-hunting power, Setsuno is a member of the Five Gourmet Living Legends from Toriko. Her powers include scalding the air around her to microwave enemies alive, and her name alone will instill fear into top-level fighters. Apart from her fighting skills, she has an empire employing more than a million staff. Setsuno demonstrates that power has no age limit—she blends business acumen with raw fighting skills, securing a high rank in anime's deadliest ladies. Nezuko Kamado | Anime: Demon Slayer Source: Pinterest Nezuko goes against demon conventions by becoming incredibly strong without eating human bodies. She gains immense strength after transforming, with fast healing, greater resilience, and the Blood Demon Art—explosive flame power that burns demons and demonic things to a crisp. Although she needs long periods of rest to recover, her fight reflexes and sunlight resistance make her in a league of her own. Nezuko isn't only strong—she's evidence that kindness can exist alongside horrific might. Android 18 | Anime: Dragon Ball Z Source: Pinterest Android 18 was constructed for devastation—and she does not disappoint. Her android upgrades provide her with superhuman abilities, flight, and limitless power. She shattered Trunks' sword like it was made of glass, splintered Vegeta's pride (and his arm) in two, and more than held her own against powerful Saiyan hybrids. Android 18 does not get tired or lose energy like her adversaries. Her tactical fighting approach, emotionless accuracy, and simply incredible durability make her a formidable foe in any universe. Erza Scarlet | Anime: Fairy Tail Source: YouTube Erza Scarlet's notoriety travels ahead of her. She has more than 100 magical armors and 200 swords in her arsenal. Her Requip Magic lets her change gear instantaneously according to the needs of battle—defense, speed, or strength. Armadura Fairy, her strongest armor, taps into humongous magical power that annihilates holy weapons. Aside from equipment, Erza is a tactician and blade master, often taking down enemies with her skills instead of brute power. Her unparalleled adaptability in combat puts her on par with anime's greatest. Jolyne Cujoh | Anime: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Source: Pinterest Jolyne Cujoh defies shonen convention as a female JoJo protagonist—and she does so with flair. Her Stand, Stone Free, enables her to decompose her body into string, giving her powers from espionage and infiltration to trap setting and high-speed combat. Jolyne doesn't solely depend on the power of her Stand; she utilizes wit, determination, and strategic thinking to defeat more powerful foes. Her versatility, fast reflexes, and innovative fighting style earn her a place as one of anime's greatest female fighters. Also Read | 10 anime characters stronger than Dragon Ball Super's Zeno without breaking a sweat

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