| EMF detector not recommended for ghost hunting |
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| Written by admin | |
 Some
paranormal experts, especially on TV, have faith in ghost hunting
technologies such as the Electromagnetic Field detector, but a MUN prof
says that the energy the machines measure is all around us anyway.
The concept behind the possibility of Electromagnetic Field (EMF)
detector locating ghosts stems from the theory that ghosts are made of
energy and give off signal radiation. But, says Kristin Poduska, a
physics professor at MUN who studies magnetic and electronic materials,
these EMFs can come from anything.“Basically, electromagnetic radiation is everything from light, to radio waves, to x-rays,” she said. “The earth itself has a field, and all of that is electromagnetic radiation.” With so many possible sources of detectable radiation, investigating a particular area may turn up numerous spikes on an EMF meter. Also, the meter’s own sensitivity and range can affect readings. “Some detectors can be sensitive, depending on the model,” Poduska said. “[Within an ambient room] it would be difficult to distinguish one [reading] from another if the magnitudes were very small, relative to the detectors.” There are several different kinds of meters available from simple ones used to detect electrical wires, which measure fields too strong to be considered paranormal, to ultra-sensitive ones, which are very expensive and can pick up EMFs from the earth or even people. Even Parascience, a UK-based paranormal investigation group, cautions against using EMF detectors to determine if ghosts are present. Instead, the EMFs found may influence the activity in another way – psychologically. Their laboratory studies have shown that high electromagnetic radiation can affect signals in the brain causing effects ranging from mild feelings of paranoia, headaches, and nausea, to full blown hallucinations. In areas with frequent reports of paranormal activity, high EMF readings have been found. This could be due to the fact that the brain normally operates in electrical frequencies below 50 hertz, and some electrical equipment operates both within and above this range. Since the brain relies on these electrical signals, it is easy to see how the stronger fields can effect the brain’s normal field, and as a result, its functioning. Copyright: The Muse Online |
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