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air can all, at times, under certain conditions, show up on photographs as circular or orb-like images. However, the critical point here is that they do not do so consistently or in the vast majority of cases. Undoubtedly some orb-like images are due to natural effects. But it does not take more than careful observation and common sense to realise which photo-anomalies are the result of ordinary events. In that context, what I define hereafter as an "orb" is that phenomenon which cannot be adequately explained in such terms. elements in an image. The clear inference here is that anything behind an object in a photograph is part of the world outside the camera and is not a digital processing anomaly. ate ewe es vette eee effects. But it does not take more than careful ¢ If orbs really are paranormal, how is it possible to observation and common sense to realise which photograph them? photo-anomalies are the result of ordinary events. In Anything and everything which we can normally see that context, what I define hereafter as an "orb" is that — or photograph falls within the visible-light wavelength phenomenon which cannot be adequately explainedin —_ of 4,000 to 7,000 angstroms, between ultraviolet and such terms. infrared in the electromagnetic spectrum (see fig. 1). Wavelengths too short for us to see are bluer than ¢ How do we know that orbs are not the result of blue; this is ultraviolet light. Wavelengths too long for digital processing faults? us to see are redder than red; this is infrared light. A widespread misconception is that orbs can only be Our graph of the electromagnetic spectrum gives photographed with digital cameras. This isa complete some small indication of the comparatively narrow fallacy. Orbs have been photographed with all kinds of | band of what we can actually see, and yet even that is a cameras. Indeed, we and many others have SLR __ bit like putting your thumb over a pocket atlas map of (single-lens reflex) film Australia. The reality is vastly negatives of photos taken years different to the representation. ago on which orbs can clearly In terms of frequencies, the be seen. visual spectrum is huge. For Another popular We can certainly photograph example, red light is emitted at misconception is that orbs are | these visual manifestations 428,570 billion cycles per the result of CMOS second, so every time you look (complementary metal-oxide as orbs, but whatever It Is at red light your eye receives semiconductor) errors in digital that generates this visual over 400 billion waves every cameras. This is completely P Q Q second! For anything to be unfounded but is so pervasive interface with our reality seen or photographed, it has that four key facts are worth is beyond detection... to be—if only for a fraction of noting here: a second—part of our visual 1. No one has ever been able to explain this anomaly in of the normal world. technical terms. This raises the question as 2. People who have used digital cameras for years to whether any photograph of ghosts, UFOs, orbs, spectrum. Therefore, it is part have never taken a photo of an orb. whatever, can truly be said to be "paranormal" 3. Orbs have been regularly photographed by film because, at the very moment we photograph them, cameras. they are already part of normal physical reality. It calls 4. Orb-like images have been recorded since the into question the whole idea of the so-called early days of photography. "supernatural" as opposed to the "natural" world. Realistically, the fanciful notion that the very same — However, in the universe currently being revealed by digital error affects every make of camera in the entire | quantum physics, such dualistic distinctions are world so that they all photograph orbs is about as rapidly becoming as irrelevant as Ptolemy's Earth- unlikely as the Moon being made of green cheese! centred cosmology. Whilst digital cameras see further into the infrared As to whether or not phenomena such as orbs are spectrum than do film cameras, they merely translate generated from, or by, an aspect of Reality beyond our higher-wavelength infrared colours into visual- normal level of perception, this is another matter spectrum wavelengths. All cameras, both film and entirely. We can certainly photograph these visual digital, only reproduce colours in the visual spectrum. manifestations as orbs, but whatever it is that The simple truth is that the proliferation of digital | generates this visual interface with our reality is technology has meant that more people are taking —_ beyond detection by methods currently available to us. photographs than ever before, so this is why the _ In that sense, orbs may legitimately be considered to majority of orb photos today are taken with digital be a "paranormal phenomenon"—whereas the actual cameras. act of photographing orbs occurs within the But this does not categorically mean that orbs are constraints of normal reality. Orbs, like the digital artefacts or errors. In photographs that we and _ electromagnetic spectrum in which they manifest, have others have taken, orbs can clearly be seen behind many more levels than meet the eye. We can certainly photograph these visual manifestations that generates this visual interface with our reality cameras. 4. Orb-like images have been recorded since the early days of photography. Realistically, the fanciful notion that the very same digital error affects every make of camera in the entire world so that they all photograph orbs is about as unlikely as the Moon being made of green cheese! Whilst digital cameras see further into the infrared spectrum than do film cameras, they merely translate higher-wavelength infrared colours into visual- spectrum wavelengths. All cameras, both film and digital, only reproduce colours in the visual spectrum. The simple truth is that the proliferation of digital technology has meant that more people are taking photographs than ever before, so this is why the majority of orb photos today are taken with digital cameras. But this does not categorically mean that orbs are digital artefacts or errors. In photographs that we and others have taken, orbs can clearly be seen behind 52 * NEXUS as orbs, but whatever it is is beyond detection... | APRIL - MAY 2009 www.nexusmagazine.com