Orbs - A Mystery Solved, A Truth Revealed

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In the Footsteps of the Dodman - Surveying Techniques in the
Neolithic.
Orbs in Photographs - A Mystery Solved a Truth Revealed
Orbs close to a sphinx near the Luxor Temple Egypt

Since the advent of digital cameras �orbs� have been appearing in my

pictures with striking regularity, particularly on my frequent trips to
Egypt. This can be fascinating if the capture of �orbs� is the desired
intent but slightly frustrating if it is some delicate picture or scene
that is the intended target. I had come to recognise that these curious
patterns only occurred when the flash on my camera was active and as most
of the pictures I wanted demanded a freedom from the intrusion of �orbs� I
mainly operated the camera with the flash mode off.
Nevertheless the �orbs� were intriguing and I started to read all sorts of
claims about their angelic and similar connections. The researcher in me
eventually determined to try to get to the heart of this mystery and the
expedition I was planning for Egypt at the end of 2008 seemed an ideal
opportunity, so I mentioned this in my pre Christmas Newsletter. David
Randell a research scientist friend of mine with a long-standing amateur
interest in optics wrote back:
�The orbs you describe in the last article almost certainly do not have
any esoteric significance and are probably nothing more than the result of
diffraction patterns arising from the camera's flash reflecting from
microscopic dust particles in the air and generating specular reflections.
It is a well known phenomenon, which is a direct result of the wave-nature
of light originating in a point-source of light passing through a circular
opaque aperture. In focus the image takes the appearance of a very small
bright spot of light surrounded by faint set of concentric and alternating
light and dark rings called the Airy pattern. Out of focus the number of
rings increase producing the familiar "orbs" seen in these photographs. I
suspect the reason why we see this more these days is because people are
using compact digital cameras that use lenses with very short focal
lengths and corresponding great depth of field. I would go so far to make
a prediction, namely that if you zoom in on many of the original images
showing these orbs you will see the familiar nested, alternating light and
dark Fresnel rings that arise from an out of focus point-source image from
interference.�
Thence followed some interesting correspondence between us, which resulted
in the formulation of an experiment to determine if �orbs� truly have an
objective reality or whether they are simply dust particles being picked
up in the camera�s flash.
The Experiments
The first experiment was filmed on an evening visit to the magnificent
Luxor temple in Egypt. It is a place full of atmosphere that I knew well,
which in past trips had been redolent with �orbs�. We decided to carry out
the research away from the jostling crowds of the main temple in the
quieter Avenue of Sphinxes. True to expectation all eight of us in the
group managed to photograph plenty of �orbs� that evening.
The experiment itself was very simple. One person agreed to be the object
of the photograph, whilst the rest of us stood in a line facing her. At a
given signal we all took our photos together. The concept simply being
that if we all photographed the same �orb� close to the person then we
might safely assume that the �orb� must have an objective reality. On the
other hand if all of the �orbs� were different then this suggested that
the �orb� pictures related to the individual cameras and therefore the
dust particles were the most probable explanation.
We carried out the experiment that evening six times over the space of
about fifteen minutes and the results were conclusive as some of the
pictures below demonstrate. The �orbs� in the pictures were all connected
to the individual cameras and did not have any objective reality of their
own, unless of course they were all moving within fractions of a second.
However if this was the case then the �orbs� themselves should have been
blurred in the photos and as you can see they are not. One experiment is
hardly satisfying so we determined to repeat it again at a different
location and time. We decided the grounds of the hotel where we were
staying would be ideal as there is a fairly secluded grassed area, where
we could carry out the experiment. This time, instead of standing a
horizontal line, we managed to photograph in a vertical line with some
sitting on the floor and others stood on chairs, so that we were seeing
almost the same image, from a vertical perspective. Once again the results
were conclusive despite several sets of photos being taken. In no case was
there any correlation between the �orbs� within the separate photos
strongly implying that the explanation of these �orbs� verified what David
Randell stated, as originating in minute dust particles passing in front
of the lens of the camera, captured in the flash light of the film. Egypt
is after all a very dusty place.

A mass of 'orbs' in the Avenue of Sphinxes in front of the Luxor Temple.

Orbs � Another Perspective
My research into �orbs� might have rested there had I not had time to
reflect further on this intriguing phenomenon. Why I wondered was there
such a need, within some individuals to see these objects as representing
some psychic or spiritual manifestation? We might consider Jung�s concepts
of synchronicity and suggest that the cause of the �orb�, the minute dust
particle, passing across the lens of the camera just happened at the
precise moment when some angelic presence was there and somehow the two
became fused together. This however is at odds with my own experience of
spiritual presences, which is much more in tune with the moving
description of elemental and angelic beings in the book The Findhorn
Garden where Roc Abercrombie describes his encounter with the god Pan. He
states:
�The moment he (Pan) stepped into me the woods became alive with a myriad
of beings � elementals, nymphs, dryads, fauns, elves, gnomes, fairies and
so on far too numerous to catalogue. They varied in size from tiny beings
a fraction of an inch in height- like the ones I saw swarming about on a
clump of toadstools � to beautiful elfin creatures three to four feet
tall. Some of them danced around me in a ring; all were welcoming and full
of rejoicing. The nature spirits love and delight in the work they do and
express this in movement.�
I have little doubt, for I have experienced it myself, if we truly opened
our inner eyes to perceive the spiritual essences all around us we would
be amazed at the multitude of presences that are there; far in excess of
the odd �orb� or two that our cameras capture.
And here is another marvel for I do appreciate the subtlety and beauty of
the �orb� images, produced as I now know by tiny particles of dust,
floating in front of the camera lens. Surely the most powerful insight
that �orbs� give us is that there is magnificence and beauty in even the
tiniest and seemingly most insignificant of things. We assuredly live in
an awesome world.
David Furlong
April 2009
Links on Orbs :
Wikipedia Article
Ghost Study.com
The American Ghost Society - Orbs article

Picture 1 in Luxor Temple. The �orb� to the right of the sphinx did
not appear on any other photos. Picture 2 in Luxor Temple. The
�orb� here on the left shoulder of the subject did not appear in any
other photo.

Picture 3 in the Grounds of the Mercure Hotel. The person is

meditating calling on higher spiritual energies. Picture 4 in the
Grounds of the Mercure Hotel. A synchronised shot with picture 3.
Note the difference in 'orb' positions.

Picture 5 Finally a magnificent orb image taken in Malta. This time

caused by a minute water droplet on the lens of the camera.
For further information please write to David Furlong
Myrtles, Como Road, Malvern Worcs WR14 2TH
or phone T: 01684-569105 M:0777-978-9047
Email: David Furlong
 David has been working as a healer, therapist, and researcher for more
than 40 years. He is the author of five books including The Healer Within
and Develop Your Intuition and Psychic Powers and Working With Earth
Energies.

The definitive book on Working With Earth Energies.

Click here for more details
.
The Findorn Garden contains the wonderful quote by Roc Abercrombie on his
meeting with the god Pan and his sense of the multitude of spirit essences
in nature.
To order this book through Amazon click the image.

Detail of 'orb' from adjoining photo showing the exquisite beauty captured
from a minute dust particle.

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All material copyright David Furlong 2009