What is the term for the automatic eye movement that occurs when watching an object approaching?

The term for the automatic eye movement that occurs when watching an object approaching is convergence. Convergence refers to the coordinated inwards movement of the eyes as they focus on a close object, allowing for depth perception and clearer vision of the object as it gets closer. This physiological response is essential for accurately judging distance and navigating our environment, ensuring that our visual system can process information effectively when objects are approaching.

The other terms mentioned do not accurately describe this specific eye movement. Depth perception relates to the ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and judge distances between objects, but it does not specifically describe the eye movement itself. Figure-ground organization is a principle in perception that helps us distinguish objects from their background, while floaters refer to small spots or threads that appear in one's field of vision, which is unrelated to eye movement in the context asked.