Ghost light (disambiguation): Difference between revisions
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#Redirect [[Will-o'-the-wisp]] |
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{{Infobox Paranormalterms |
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|Image_Name = Tulilautta3.jpg |
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|Image_Caption = Artists Rendering |
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|Usage = Terminology |
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|Name = Ghost Light |
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|Origin = |
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|Short = |
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|Additional_Names = |
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|Definition = Light of non-human from an unknown/unidentified source |
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|Characteristics = Usually soft/flickering and viewed only from a distance, often reported as recurring in a single location over a sustained period of time. No apparent human origins. Sometimes associated with [[Earthquake light|geological activity]] |
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|Extra_Title = |
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|See_Also = [[Foxfire (bioluminescence)|Foxfire]],<br>[[Earthquake light]] |
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}}{{otheruses|Ghost light (disambiguation)}} |
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A '''ghost light''' is any one of many unusual visual phenomena that appear in specific areas around the world. This describes the appearance of lights where one presumes there should be none. The lack of definitive explanations or sources has led them to be associated with the [[paranormal]]. |
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==Explanations== |
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There is no single explanation for what causes ghost lights, but possible causes are [[mirage]]s, refracted light from automobile headlights, [[swamp gas]], [[ball lightning]], [[St. Elmo's fire]], [[Unidentified Aerial Phenomena]] of some sort, [[Will o' the wisp]] or the [[piezoelectric effect]] from underground quartz crystals ([[earthquake light]]s).<ref name=unknown>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071030_1_A4_spanc63203 Spooklights' source is still unknown], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', October 30, 2007</ref> |
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===Phosphorus=== |
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One possible explanation, for some ghost lights, is [[phosphorus]]. On its own [[swamp gas]] cannot spontaneously ignite but during the decay of organic material in waterlogged ground [[phosphine]] (phosphorus trihydride) is formed (along with other compounds like phosphorous tetrahydride) which can cause the methane to burn on contact with air. <ref>John Emsley, ''The 13th Element: The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire, and Phosphorus'', 2000, ISBN 0471394556</ref> This can occur with buried dead bodies and may also explain related phenomena like [[corpse candles]], corpse lights or corpse fire. |
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==In popular culture == |
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It is also the name of an ethereal being that haunts the area in and around [[Radiator Springs]] in the animated film ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'', and plays a central role in the associated short film ''[[Mater and the Ghostlight]]''. It is rumored to be a floating orb of blue light that preys upon unsuspecting vehicles, leaving only their [[license plate]]s behind. |
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==Examples== |
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Examples of this phenomena can be found across the world: |
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* [[Australia]] |
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** [[Min Min light]]s |
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*[[Finland]] |
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**[[Paasselkä devil]] |
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* [[Norway]] |
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** [[Hessdalen light]] |
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* [[Canada]] |
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** [[Fireship of Baie des Chaleurs]] |
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** [[St. Louis Light]] |
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* [[Sweden]] |
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** [[Martebo lights]] |
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* [[Thailand]] |
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** [[Naga fireballs|Mekong lights (Nekha lights)]] |
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* [[United States]] |
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** [[Arkansas]] |
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*** [[Crossett Light]] |
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*** [[Gurdon Light]] |
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** [[North Carolina]] |
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*** [[Brown Mountain Lights]] |
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*** [[Maco light]] |
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** [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] |
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*** [[Surrency Spooklight]] |
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** [[Indiana]] |
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*** [[Moody's Light]] |
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** [[Michigan]] [[Upper Peninsula]] |
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*** [[The Paulding Light]] |
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** [[Missouri]] |
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*** [[Hornet ghost light]] |
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*** [[Ozark Spooklight]] |
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*** [[Arbyrd]]/Senath Ghost Light |
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** [[Oklahoma]] |
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*** [[Spooklight]] (same as Hornet ghost light, at the Oklahoma-Missouri line) |
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** [[Texas]] |
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*** [[Bragg Road ghost light]] ( [[Light of Saratoga]] ) |
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*** [[Marfa light]]s |
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** [[Utah]] |
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*** [[Skinwalker Ranch]] |
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** [[Virginia]] |
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*** [[Cohoke light]] |
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==References== |
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{{refs}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.forteantimes.com/articles/218_earth_lights_1.shtml Seeing the light] by [[Paul Devereux]], from ''[[Fortean Times]]'' #218, 2007 |
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[[Category:Atmospheric ghost lights|*]] |
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[[Category:Weather lore]] |
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[[Category:Forteana]] |
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[[fi:Haamuvalo]] |
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[[simple:Ghost light]] |
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{{para-psych-stub}} |
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Revision as of 02:47, 4 December 2007
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