Peripheral Motion Detection Reflex: 2D Field Map

Stimulus

Eccentricity (° from fixation) 30°

Motion speed (°/s) 18°/s

Contrast 55%

Ambient light level 0.30

Reaction-Time Trial

Measured RT

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Predicted RT

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Trials avg (last 5)

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Detection P

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Cool = low motion sensitivity (foveal cones)
Warm = high motion sensitivity (peripheral rods)
Drag the map to pan, scroll to zoom.

How it works

This is a flat schematic of the same eccentricity-driven sensitivity model as the 3D field: rod density and receptive-field pooling rise from the fovea outward, giving peripheral vision a real edge at detecting fast motion even though it cannot resolve fine detail — while the fovea, dense with small cone receptive fields, is the reverse. The line graph below the map plots detection probability against eccentricity for your current speed/contrast/light settings.

Move the eccentricity slider and watch the marker slide along the probability curve.
Rods saturate as ambient light rises, flattening the peripheral advantage.
The reaction-time trial times your own response from true motion onset to click/tap.

drag = pan · scroll = zoom · click/tap or space = respond

Fixate the center…