Terrell-Penrose Effect
After Einstein and his introduction of the Theory of Relativity, it was generally thought that objects moving at relativistic speeds (close to the speed of light) would appear contracted, or squashed, in the direction of motion. It wasn't until decades later, with the publications in 1959 by Roger Penrose and James Terrell, that it was understood that an object approaching an observer at relativistic speeds would actually appear elongated, and even appear to rotate, allowing the back side of the object to be 'viewed' before the object had arrived. Only when receding from the observer does that fast-moving body appear squashed.
Relativistic Distortion
When objects move at relativistic speeds, some strange things happen. This is an attempt to explain some of the geometric distortions that occur.