Magnetophosphene

Magnetophosphenes are flashes of light (phosphenes) that are seen when one is subjected to a changing magnetic field such as when in an MRI. This changing field causes current within the retina or visual cortex resulting in the illusion of light.[1] In one series, 8 out of 1023 people having an MRI experienced flashing lights.[2]

Magnetophosphenes have been proposed as an explanation for ball lightning.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "ReviseMRI.com : Magnetophosphenes".
  2. ↑ Weintraub MI, Khoury A, Cole SP (July 2007). "Biologic effects of 3 Tesla (T) MR imaging comparing traditional 1.5 T and 0.6 T in 1023 consecutive outpatients". J Neuroimaging. 17 (3): 241–5. PMID 17608910. doi:10.1111/j.1552-6569.2007.00118.x.
  3. ↑ http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/25166/
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