Sights Unseen Paranormal
Debunking
Debunking is the process of searching for logical explanations for supposed paranormal phenomena.
After exhausting every logical possibility, what's left may be paranormal which means 'unexplainable by conventional science'. Debunking may include attempts to explain strange sounds, movement of objects, visual anomalies, and even feelings.
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while
the truth is still putting on its shoes"
--Mark Twain
the truth is still putting on its shoes"
--Mark Twain
Orbs, Orbs, Orbs
Orbs are balls of light that commonly show up in photographs. Some people think they are paranormal energy--possibly even spirits or ghosts. In reality, 99.9 % of orbs are dust, pollen, moisture, bugs, and lens reflections.
We can't discount the possibility that some orbs are paranormal in origin. Many--even reputable--groups offer explanations on how to tell the difference between genuine 'ghost' orbs and ones that are not.
Pollen Black Fly
For example, some groups feel that if an orb leaves a trail it's paranormal. Free-lance Paranormal Investigator and Sights Unseen Paranormal member, Werner offers this more obvious and logical 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."
Obviously this (a trail) depends more on the camera settings and movement then anything else. We feel that anyone who uses this rationalization in an attempt to justify the paranormal origin of orbs is ignorant of the basics of photography.
Others feel that if the orb is colored, its more likely a ghost. This theory also demonstrates fundamental inexperience with photographic equipment and illogical rationalizations.
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, following someone or moving in what appears to be purposeful manner--and there are additional indications of paranormal activity occurring simultaneously, the phenomena may be paranormal in origin. However, in photographs it is nearly impossible to discern any 'behavior' so it becomes necessary to rule them out.
Bube's Brewery
Mount Joy, PA
What do the "experts" think?
The majority of leading paranormal investigators agree with us--99.9 % of orbs are not paranormal in origin. We feel that ghost hunting teams that present orbs as evidence of the paranormal--sometimes declaring them spirits beginning to manifest--generally don't attempt to thoroughly debunk the phenomena and may have have a predisposition to identifying any unusual phenomena as paranormal.
Of course, pictures of orbs are fun to look at and we post orb photographs on our Web site solely in an attempt to educate people.
Do your own debunking.
Take a few hundred digital photographs in your house or backyard. Whether
haunted or not, you're likely to get a few orb pictures. Open any basic photography book and educate yourself on the basics. Many photographic anomalies are caused by inexperience utilizing the camera, then are mistakingly identified as paranormal.
Orbs are balls of light that commonly show up in photographs. Some people think they are paranormal energy--possibly even spirits or ghosts. In reality, 99.9 % of orbs are dust, pollen, moisture, bugs, and lens reflections.
Dust Orb Bug Orb
Paranormal versus Non-Paranormal OrbsThe fact is that we get orb pictures during every single investigation--and orbs show up in control pictures taken in our backyards.
Any paranormal group that asserts or insinuates otherwise is being intentionally misleading or inexperienced and/or incompetent.
Any paranormal group that asserts or insinuates otherwise is being intentionally misleading or inexperienced and/or incompetent.
We can't discount the possibility that some orbs are paranormal in origin. Many--even reputable--groups offer explanations on how to tell the difference between genuine 'ghost' orbs and ones that are not.
Pollen Black Fly
For example, some groups feel that if an orb leaves a trail it's paranormal. Free-lance Paranormal Investigator and Sights Unseen Paranormal member, Werner offers this more obvious and logical 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."
Obviously this (a trail) depends more on the camera settings and movement then anything else. We feel that anyone who uses this rationalization in an attempt to justify the paranormal origin of orbs is ignorant of the basics of photography.
Others feel that if the orb is colored, its more likely a ghost. This theory also demonstrates fundamental inexperience with photographic equipment and illogical rationalizations.
Rain Orbs Dust Orb Dust Orb
Some groups present an orb photograph and a photo taken immediately before and/or after that don't show the phenomena asserting that this proves that the orb is paranormal in origin. Again, this may reflect ignorance of the process and physics of photography and certainly is not proof that the orb is paranormal. Orb photos that show an orb partially obscured by an object in the foreground are definitely worth a closer look, but still not proof of anything paranormal.
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, following someone or moving in what appears to be purposeful manner--and there are additional indications of paranormal activity occurring simultaneously, the phenomena may be paranormal in origin. However, in photographs it is nearly impossible to discern any 'behavior' so it becomes necessary to rule them out.
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.
What do the "experts" think?
The majority of leading paranormal investigators agree with us--99.9 % of orbs are not paranormal in origin. We feel that ghost hunting teams that present orbs as evidence of the paranormal--sometimes declaring them spirits beginning to manifest--generally don't attempt to thoroughly debunk the phenomena and may have have a predisposition to identifying any unusual phenomena as paranormal.
Of course, pictures of orbs are fun to look at and we post orb photographs on our Web site solely in an attempt to educate people.
Do your own debunking.
Take a few hundred digital photographs in your house or backyard. Whether
haunted or not, you're likely to get a few orb pictures. Open any basic photography book and educate yourself on the basics. Many photographic anomalies are caused by inexperience utilizing the camera, then are mistakingly identified as paranormal.
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
captured during an intense thunderstorm. this excellent photograph of a bug taken at
Richmond Cemetery Orbs
There are reportedly over twenty cemeteries in Richmond, New Hampshire.
Several are rumored to be haunted.
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
Native American Spirits
These photographs of an unfinished arrowhead--found at a possibly haunted residence--clearly show ghostly blue lines
caused by an exposure artifact.
Ghost Squirrel
Ectoplasm?
Competent investigators don't use the word ectoplasm to describe trange mist-like phenomena,
or---in this case--a photograph of the condensation of a person's breath.
Red Mist
This artifact was introduced during the development or printing
of this photograph taken at a historic residence in Richmond, New Hampshire.
Native American Spirits
These photographs of an unfinished arrowhead--found at a possibly haunted residence--clearly show ghostly blue lines
caused by an exposure artifact.
Demon at Gilson Road Cemetery
Can you see the scary figure crouching in the lower right side
of this infrared photograph? If so, your brains ability
to matrix (pareidolia) is working just fine.
Can you see the scary figure crouching in the lower right side
of this infrared photograph? If so, your brains ability
to matrix (pareidolia) is working just fine.
Spirit Lights
The photographs below are those
of a planet hanging low on the horizon
in the late July sky. Planets are sometimes
mistaken for paranormal phenomenon or UFOs.
The photographs below are those
of a planet hanging low on the horizon
in the late July sky. Planets are sometimes
mistaken for paranormal phenomenon or UFOs.
Ghost Squirrel
This is a photograph of a Revolutionary War
ghost squirrel that haunts the historic
Harvard's Presidents Cemetery in Harvard, MA.
ghost squirrel that haunts the historic
Harvard's Presidents Cemetery in Harvard, MA.
Eyes in Window
This isn't Jodie the Pig from
the infamous house in Amityville, NY,
but that of car's tail lights driving
by during an investigation of
the Saxtons River Inn.
This isn't Jodie the Pig from
the infamous house in Amityville, NY,
but that of car's tail lights driving
by during an investigation of
the Saxtons River Inn.
Ectoplasm?
Competent investigators don't use the word ectoplasm to describe trange mist-like phenomena,
or---in this case--a photograph of the condensation of a person's breath.
Red Mist
This artifact was introduced during the development or printing
of this photograph taken at a historic residence in Richmond, New Hampshire.
Send us your photographs,
and we'll offer our analysis.
With your permission,
we'll post them on our
Visitors Submissions page.
We don't jump at ghosts
Sharpen your debunking skills
and watch our short video.
Sharpen your debunking skills
and watch our short video.
Many of the photographs on this page were taken by one of our consultants.
Visit more of his work at Flicker.com
Haunted Carousel
You can actually ride this "haunted" carousel in Holyoke, MA--if you dare.
You can actually ride this "haunted" carousel in Holyoke, MA--if you dare.
Ghost in Doorway
This "ghost" manifested in the doorway of a residential home.
Ghost at the Oak Grove School
Here's a picture of the Ghost of Oak Grove School in Brattleboro VT. She has been seen around the outside of the building by the people living in the area, usually around twilight and around the playground area.
Vortex
A vortex is a "doorway to the spirit world." The phenomena can be created by obstructing the flash with a camera strap, human hair, or other object.
A vortex is a "doorway to the spirit world." The phenomena can be created by obstructing the flash with a camera strap, human hair, or other object.
Shadow People
A genuine phenomena that has been documented at haunted locations, shadow people can also appear if you obstruct the flash, by accident, or--as in this photo--on purpose.
A genuine phenomena that has been documented at haunted locations, shadow people can also appear if you obstruct the flash, by accident, or--as in this photo--on purpose.
Orb with Trails
Orbs are generally NOT paranormal and commonly show up everywhere--not just in photos of haunted locations. Most of the time they are reflections, dust, pollen, bugs. or in this case, the light from a flashlight.
Some ghost hunters think that if an orb has trails it proves its paranormal in origin. We don't buy it and our advice is to check your shutter and aperture settings.
Exit Sign
Don't mistake the red streak of an exit sign for something paranormal. Any light source can cause this effect depending on the camera settings.
Plasma Television
This photograph shows what appears to be a plasma-like energy coming out of a television set.
Haunted Inn Plasma
Though we recorded some strong evidence of possible paranormal activity at this location, this phenomena was caused by the light from a flashlight--or the infrared light from a camera--reflecting off of windows.
Graveyard Plasma
Sent to us by one of our Visitors, this artifact can be easily reproduced with any camera using the certain settings. The effect--the same used in a photographic technique called 'light painting'--is caused by movement of the camera when it is set to a longer exposure time. The doubling in the background is a dead give away. We suspect that this is probably a photograph of the moon.
Camera Phase Shift
This photograph--taken in a haunted residence--demonstrates what can occur when the camera moves while taking a picture. It doesn't take much, even an exhaled breath can cause this effect.
Flash Reflection
This effect was caused by the camera flash reflecting off of a window. Note the orb in the lower left corner.
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We don't jump at ghosts