Ghoul Vibrations
Ground breaking research is to be carried out, in a world first this May, to discover whether low level sounds waves known as infrasound could be the real reason behind haunting experiences.
From Friday 11th to Sunday 20th May a team of experts, led by parapsychologist Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe and Para.Science expert Steve Parsons, will be conducting a series of experiments at the reputedly haunted location of Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh as part of the hugely popular paranormal festival Mary King’s Ghost Fest.
During the research events, members of the public will be guided deep below the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, to the series of underground closes (streets), rooms and spaces that comprise the award winning Mary King’s Close visitor attraction which date back to the 17th century and has been seen documented tales of ghostly apparitions dating back to 1685.. Whilst underground, visitors will be invited to tour a set route of the unusual rooms and spaces and document their feelings, sensations and experiences. The participants will be unaware of whether the infrasound is being generated or not. The research is the first of its kind to exclusively examine whether infrasound could be the cause of feelings associated with paranormal experiences or if such feelings truly are an inexplicable phenomena.
The levels of infrasound during the events will be controlled by an infrasound generator, which has been uniquely constructed by Steve Parsons. Infrasound is defined as acoustic energy with frequencies less than 20 Hertz (Hz), making it below the reach of human hearing. There are many sources of infrasound including man-made sources such as road traffic, aircraft and trains as well as natural sources including thunder, earthquakes and wind. In addition, during the week, the team will be conducting an infrasound survey of the close using state-of-the-art equipment calibrated to US military standards.
Commenting on the research events Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe said “Low frequency sound is legendary: from military weapons to the tiger’s roar and now to haunted houses. This experiment hopes to uncover some of the truth behind the legends. Is sound the science behind hauntings?”
For the full line up of Ghost Fest events, please visit www.edinburghghostfest.co.uk. For more information on the work of Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe please visit www.theparapsychologist.com (mobile: +44 07984-954728), for more information on the work of Steve Parsons please visit www.parascience.org.uk (+44 07841-902994)
