Scientists to investigate ghostly experiences
New large-scale scientific experiment explores alleged haunting.
Today, Professor Richard Wiseman (University of Hertfordshire) launches a large-scale experiment as part of Einstein Year to investigate the alleged haunting of Mary King’s Close - a series of closes and houses under Edinburgh's Royal Mile that date back to the 1600's.
The study will examine why visitors to these closes often report a range of alleged ghostly activity, such as a strange sense of presence, mysterious footsteps and apparitions.
The experiment will involve 200 members of the public walking through the location in small groups and reporting any unusual phenomena they experience. Scientists will then monitor a range of factors at these sites, including air temperature, humidity, very low frequency sound (infra-sound) and geomagnetic activity.
"Our aim is to discover more about why people report strange phenomena in this historic venue" explained Professor Wiseman. "All of these factors have been linked with alleged ghostly activity in the past and it will be fascinating to see what emerges".
“Einstein Year aims to highlight the role physics plays in our everyday lives as well as demonstrating some of its more creative applications. This study is a great example of how physics can appear when you least expect it” said Caitlin Watson, Einstein Year Programme Manager.
The project will involve infra-sound expert Vic Tandy (Coventry University), and will build upon Professor Wiseman’s previous work in this area by also examining whether the public can determine the types of alleged ghosts that have been reported in Mary King’s Close.
The study will take place between the 14 and 17 May, and form the centre-piece of a new, ten day, festival exploring alleged paranormal phenomena around the city. Professor Wiseman hopes to announce some initial results from the investigation at the end of the festival (22 May).
The study is supported by NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) through its Learning Programme.
Contact information
Professor Richard Wiseman: Tel: 077 909 05219
Email: r.wiseman@herts.ac.uk.
Karen Baron (PR & Marketing Manager, Heritage Projects) Tel: 01904 527766
Email karen@actionmarketing.org.uk.
Caitlin Watson (Einstein Year Programme Manager): Tel: 020 7470 4814
Email: caitlin.watson@iop.org.
Photo-call
A photo-call will take place at 11am on Thursday 12th May at Mary King’s Close (High Street, Edinburgh). This will involve Professor Wiseman, some of the equipment that will be used during the experiment and a group of volunteers.
Photograph
The attached photograph shows one of the rooms in Mary King’s Close. As part of the study, people will be asked to look at this type of photograph and mark where they believe the ghost has been seen. In this instance, a ghost of a small female child has been reported standing to the right of the fireplace. A high-resolution version of this photograph is available from Richard Wiseman.
Internet support
www.ghostexperiment.co.uk Further details about the experiment.
www.edinburghghostfest.co.uk Additional information on the festival.
www.channel4.com/ghost An interactive study accompanying the experiment.
www.einsteinyear.org Further details about other Einstein Year activities
Notes to Editors:
Einstein Year is a year-long celebration of physics and its relevance to all our lives. Marking the centenary of Einstein’s three ground-breaking ideas it communicates the vital role physics plays in developing new technologies like cancer screening equipment and mobile phones, whilst addressing big questions such as how the Universe was created and how climate change can be tackled.
Einstein Year is here - be inspired by physics in 2005. www.einsteinyear.org
NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) investing in innovators and working to improve the climate for creativity in the UK. For more information visit www.nesta.org.uk
Released: 2005/05/13 10:00:00 GMT+1
