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The phenomenon known as the "phantom lighthouse illusion" causes observers to perceive light from a lighthouse as coming from the sea, despite its actual location behind them. Researchers have proposed a new explanation for this optical effect, which may also clarify other visual illusions, such as the moon appearing larger near the horizon. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Melbourne and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, suggests that the brain misjudges the distance to the light source due to a lack of visual cues at night. This misinterpretation can lead to the illusion that the light is emanating from a distant point. The researchers also predict specific distances at which this illusion can be experienced, contributing to a broader understanding of visual perception errors.