The blanking phenomenon: a novel form of visual disappearance.

We describe a novel illusion produced by the scintillating grid. Under specific conditions, a light disk presented at an intersection of black squares is undetectable. We term this disappearance "blanking;" conditions yielding the blanking phenomenon were examined. Results indicate the light disk must be presented peripherally, surrounded by at least four black squares for effective blanking to occur. Additionally, the grid and disk must be presented simultaneously. Dark disks presented in the same configuration remained visible. The blanking phenomenon is a unique form of visual disappearance, not dependent on adaptation, motion, or masking.