On social media, many viewers were stunned after a viral video captured a motionless plane, sparking ‘Glitch in the Matrix’ theories.
Shocking footage shows a plane appearing frozen in mid-air
On social media, a viral video has left viewers stunned as a plane appears to be stuck in the sky, completely motionless.
A viral Reddit post from months ago perfectly captures how perspective can turn a simple sight into a mind-blowing illusion.
The post features a plane appearing completely motionless in the sky above a bridge, baffling thousands and racking up over 38,000 upvotes.
While it seems to defy physics, the logical explanation lies in the parallax effect.
Many who saw the footage were baffled, with some calling it a “glitch in the Matrix.” Others joked that the pilot had paused a video game.
The parallax effect explains the optical illusion
Parallax Effect
byu/Silent-Lobster7854 inDamnthatsinteresting
Despite the eerie appearance, there is a scientific explanation. The illusion is caused by the parallax effect.
According to Merriam-Webster, parallax is “the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points.”
In simple terms, the plane isn’t actually frozen. Instead, it’s being filmed by another moving object, likely a car or another aircraft. The difference in speed and viewing angles makes the plane appear stationary.
Social media users react with humor and conspiracy theories
The video quickly went viral and sparked discusson among viewers
While science explains the effect, that hasn’t stopped people from making jokes.
One Reddit user commented, “The pilot had to pause his game.” Another added, “Pilot’s mom said dinner is ready, so he had to pause.”
However, some took a more mysterious approach.
One person said: Okay, so what you’re saying is… aliens?
A second wrote: I’m not saying it was aliens… but it was aliens.
While a third commemted: If you’re in a plane traveling the same speed as another plane while circling around the plane, it’s going to appear that it’s staying in the same spot.
Another added: My goodness. They need to attend their physics class more often.
Someone else said: If wind is high enough a plane could sit still in the sky
Another user added: Airline was in the process of purchasing an extended warranty, seems they’ve been put on a temporary hold.
If wind is high enough a plane could sit still in the sky. Someone said.
A viral moment for the Bay Area
The location in the video also caught people’s attention. Some viewers recognized the setting, pointing out the San Mateo Bridge in California.
“Shout out to the Bay Area!” one user wrote.
Although the frozen plane looks eerie, it’s simply an optical trick.
The parallax effect can be observed in everyday life. For example, trees far from a moving train seem to shift less than nearby objects.
While the video may have sparked wild theories, the truth is much less mysterious. Science explains it all—no glitches, no aliens, just physics in action.