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Volume 19: Number 3: Article 1
Anomalous Orbic "Spirit" Photographs? A Conventional Optical Explanation
Gary E. Schwartz, Human Energy Systems Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0068
Katherine Creath, Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0094
With the development of reliable and inexpensive digital cameras, numerous individuals have reported capturing anomalous round-shaped (orbic) objects in photographs. These seemingly anomalous orbic images (AOIs) have
sometimes been interpreted as reflecting "spirits," "angels," "light beings," "aliens," and/or "UFOs." We decided to determine whether we could (1) replicate capturing AOIs, and (2) investigate their possible mechanism(s).
Approximately one thousand photographs were taken with five different digital cameras over multiple sessions under conditions that would purportedly increase the chance of observing AOIs. This included two "spiritual energy healers" performing various diagnostic and treatment procedures in a semi-dark room. More than two hundred photographs contained AOIs. Careful examination of the photographs revealed a plausible conventional optical
mechanism that could explain most of the AOIs observed. The most common mechanisms involved are (1) stray reflections (often from the flash) from various shiny objects in the environment (mirrors, glass windows, doorknobs, furniture, metal art work) that are then doubly re-reflected off of lens surfaces and (2) diffraction from the flash reflecting off of dust and dirt particles near but not on the lens. Spiritual or other-worldly interpretations of "orbs" in photographs should only be considered under conditions in which all sources of
stray reflection and diffraction have been eliminated from the environment.
Keywords: anomalous orbic images, digital cameras, spirit photography,
parapsychology, stray reflections, ghost images
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