Sights Unseen Paranormal
We don't jump at ghosts.
Debunking
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes"
--Mark Twain
"If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a ghost."
--Bobby Elgee
--Mark Twain
"If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a ghost."
--Bobby Elgee
Debunking is the process of searching for logical explanations for supposed paranormal phenomena. Ghost hunting is not a science, nor does it utilize anything that approximates the scientific method. Even the most savvy investigators can't come close to conducting a well-designed scientific experiment.
Competent groups do attempt to rule out all logical explanations, and through the process of debunking, may discover paranormal activity.
Competent groups do attempt to rule out all logical explanations, and through the process of debunking, may discover paranormal activity.
After exhausting every conventional possibility, what's left may be paranormal--'unexplainable by conventional science'. Debunking may include attempts to explain strange sounds, movement of objects, visual anomalies, and even feelings.
Orbs
Orbs are white or colored balls of light that often show up in photographs. Some people believe they are paranormal energy--possibly even spirits or ghosts. In reality, 99.9 % of orbs are dust, pollen, moisture, bugs, or reflections.
We can't discount the possibility that some orbs are paranormal in origin. Many ghost hunters offer explanations on how to tell the difference between genuine 'ghost' orbs and ones that are not. Most of these theories reflect an inexperience with basic photography.
Bug Pollen Black Fly
For example, some say that if an orb leaves a trail it's paranormal. Free-lance paranormal investigator and Sights Unseen Paranormal member, Werner offers this more obvious explanation:
"The reason the orbs look like they are moving is that when the picture [is] taken the [dust, raindrops, bug, etc.] was moving [sic] when the flash went off. [As the movement] continues [they] leave a fading trail as the light diminish[es]. All of this happens in a fraction of a second."
Whether an orb--or any moving object--leaves a trail in a photograph depends more on camera settings than anything else. Anyone who using the "trail theory" probably needs some photography lessons.
Orb photos that show an orbs partially obscured by an object in the foreground are definitely worth a closer look, but still not proof of paranormal activity.
How do I Tell if a an Orb is Paranormal?
If you see a ball of light with your eyes and/or on video, and it behaves strangely--for example, follows someone or moves in what appears to be purposeful manner--and there are additional indications of possible paranormal activity occurring simultaneously, the phenomena may be paranormal in origin.
Bube's Brewery
Mount Joy, PA
What do the "experts" think?
Leading paranormal investigators agree with us--99.9% of orbs are not paranormal. Of course, pictures of orbs are fun to look at and we post them on our Web site in an attempt to educate people.
Do your own debunking.
Take a few hundred digital photographs in your house or backyard, and you're likely to get a few orb pictures. Open any basic photography book and educate yourself. Many photographic anomalies are caused by inexperience utilizing the camera or analyzing the photograph itself.
Orbs are white or colored balls of light that often show up in photographs. Some people believe they are paranormal energy--possibly even spirits or ghosts. In reality, 99.9 % of orbs are dust, pollen, moisture, bugs, or reflections.
Dust Orb Bug Orb
Paranormal Versus Non-Paranormal OrbsWe capture orbs in photographs during every single investigation--they show up pictures taken in our backyards. Orbs are ubiquitous--they show up everywhere.
We can't discount the possibility that some orbs are paranormal in origin. Many ghost hunters offer explanations on how to tell the difference between genuine 'ghost' orbs and ones that are not. Most of these theories reflect an inexperience with basic photography.
Bug Pollen Black Fly
For example, some say that if an orb leaves a trail it's paranormal. Free-lance paranormal investigator and Sights Unseen Paranormal member, Werner offers this more obvious explanation:
"The reason the orbs look like they are moving is that when the picture [is] taken the [dust, raindrops, bug, etc.] was moving [sic] when the flash went off. [As the movement] continues [they] leave a fading trail as the light diminish[es]. All of this happens in a fraction of a second."
Whether an orb--or any moving object--leaves a trail in a photograph depends more on camera settings than anything else. Anyone who using the "trail theory" probably needs some photography lessons.
Rain Orbs Dust Orb Dirty Camera Lens
Some ghost hunters present an orb photograph and a photo taken immediately before and/or after that doesn't show the phenomena. They say that this proves that the orb is paranormal in origin. For several reasons, this theory "falls flat" and is certainly not proof that an orb--or any phenomena--is paranormal. Orb photos that show an orbs partially obscured by an object in the foreground are definitely worth a closer look, but still not proof of paranormal activity.
How do I Tell if a an Orb is Paranormal?
If you see a ball of light with your eyes and/or on video, and it behaves strangely--for example, follows someone or moves in what appears to be purposeful manner--and there are additional indications of possible paranormal activity occurring simultaneously, the phenomena may be paranormal in origin.
Bube's Brewery
Mount Joy, PA
Occasionally, orbs will show up by the hundreds in a haunted location, as in the above photograph taken at the infamous Bube's Brewery in Pennsylvania. A similar effect can be generated when taking a photograph during a snow storm. In our experience, pictures like the above--though not proof of anything--do require closer examination and sometimes occur in conjunction with other possibly paranormal activity.
Leading paranormal investigators agree with us--99.9% of orbs are not paranormal. Of course, pictures of orbs are fun to look at and we post them on our Web site in an attempt to educate people.
Do your own debunking.
Take a few hundred digital photographs in your house or backyard, and you're likely to get a few orb pictures. Open any basic photography book and educate yourself. Many photographic anomalies are caused by inexperience utilizing the camera or analyzing the photograph itself.
Rain Orbs Bug Orb
Photograph of orbs caused by rain drops Freelance investigator Daynie sent in
captured during an intense thunderstorm. this excellent photograph of a bug taken
at a cemetery in Gettysburg PA.
captured during an intense thunderstorm. this excellent photograph of a bug taken
at a cemetery in Gettysburg PA.
Richmond Cemetery Orbs
There are reportedly over twenty cemeteries in Richmond, New Hampshire.The team member who took these photographs--of several of New England's infamous black flies--helped dig
a grave in this Richmond cemetery.
Troy Taylor think of orbs?
Click on the link below to read his insightful article on this phenomenon.
The Trouble with Orbs
Matrixing
Matrixing or Visual Form Perception is the brain's tendency to form meaningful shapes or figures out of ambiguous visual stimulation. There are many "ghost" photographs on the Internet of this phenomena. Many people see "ghosts" in pictures of rocks, leaves, and in windows. Don't make this mistake and jump at ghosts. Below are several examples of this phenomena.
Matrixing or Visual Form Perception is the brain's tendency to form meaningful shapes or figures out of ambiguous visual stimulation. There are many "ghost" photographs on the Internet of this phenomena. Many people see "ghosts" in pictures of rocks, leaves, and in windows. Don't make this mistake and jump at ghosts. Below are several examples of this phenomena.
Compare the photographs above with the one below. Is this a photo of an apparition of a torso wearing a kepi (Civil War style hat) or just a play of light and shadow?
New Hampton Cemetery
New Hampton, New Hampshire
New Hampton, New Hampshire
Phenomena Commonly Misidentified as Paranormal
The photographs below--taken during our investigations, provided by our visitors, and/or "manufactured" by one of our consultants--are examples of anomalies that are sometimes misclassified as paranormal. Surf the Internet and do your own debunking.
The photographs below--taken during our investigations, provided by our visitors, and/or "manufactured" by one of our consultants--are examples of anomalies that are sometimes misclassified as paranormal. Surf the Internet and do your own debunking.
Printing Artifact Matrixing Planet Real Squirrel
Eyes Ectoplasm Red Mist Apparition
Car Tail-lights Breath Printing Artifact Hoax
Haunted Haze Face in Window Plasma Bolt Ghost at Oak Grove School
Camera Artifact Matrixing Reflection Hoax
Ghost in Doorway Graveyard Shadow Ghost Light Orb with Trails
Plasma Sprite Pillar Mist Madam Cherie Window Plasma
Reflection Hoax Hoax Reflection
Plasma Television Orb Storm Graveyard Apparition Moon Plasma
Camera Artifact Rain Drops Hoax Camera Artifact
Haunted Haze Face in Window Plasma Bolt Ghost at Oak Grove School
Ghost in Doorway Graveyard Shadow Ghost Light Orb with Trails
Hoax Hoax Reflection Manufactured
Reflection Hoax Hoax Reflection
Plasma Television Orb Storm Graveyard Apparition Moon Plasma
Send us your photographs and we'll offer our analysis.
With your permission we'll post them on our
Visitor's Submssions page.
Sharpen your debunking skills and watch our short video below....
Paranormal Fail
a Website dedicated to supernatural bumbles, stumbles and other failures by ghost hunters and the media.
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We don't jump at ghosts.
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audio/photographs for analysis.
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We don't jump at ghosts.
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