Investigating Ghost Lights

by: Kady Harrington

The phenomenon known as ghost lights are a most common report in our experience. Also known as Earth Lights, these usually appear as balls of light that seem to defy explanation. They are reported around the world, with some of the most famous ones being the Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton, North Carolina and the Marfa Lights of Texas. They are not always caused by what is usually defined as ghosts, however - though in many cases legend claims a headless spirit is the cause, they have been blamed on everything from car lights to UFOs to Ignis Fatuus or swamp gases.

Typically they appear to be balls, or small erratic streaks of lights. They have been reported in many colors from white to orange to blue or green. Some are reported to change color. They often appear suddenly and move erratically, disappearing when the observer attempts to approach closely. In many case they will appear only at a distance or at certain points, though we have had reports sent to us of lights approaching and even making contact with a vehicle. Most often however, sudden noise or movement towards them sends them scurrying off into the night - and out of sight of the observer.

Invariably they appear in out of the way places - the highest ridge of a mountain, the desert or a remote or abandoned train tracks (more about that in a moment). Possible causes of these lights have been determined to be everything from UFO vehicles, to phosphorescence (escaping "swamp" gas), ionized gas emitted from fault lines (luminous phenomena such as ball lightening has been associated with earthquakes and fault activity - see Project ALP), car or other lights in the distance. Interestingly, though even the US Geological Survey has tried to explain away some cases of Ghost Lights with "cars" and other mundane reasons, many of these lights have been reported since BEFORE traffic of any kind could have been responsible!

A number of ghost light stories we receive are centered around the beheading of a railroad employee. Perhaps an engineer who didn't get out of the way fast enough, or someone trying to stop a fatal accident. Perhaps a lover waiting for the arrival of such worker, and arrival that never happens. A terrible accident occurs, and often someone is decaptiated. The light being explained as the lantern of the beheaded one searching for the lost lover or still trying to stop an accident or even just searching for the errant head. It would seem that if one works for a railroad it would be wise to take extra care of one's head lest you become a legend!

There are many Ghost Light stories in the North Carolina area. The most famous are the Brown Mountain Lights - NOT associated with a headless railroad worker, these light have been seen dancing over the Brown Mountain ridge for generations defying any reasonable explanation and enchanting and drawing visitors from distant places. They are the subject for many dedicated studies (See www.brownmountainlights.com). Others are the Maco Lights, Vander Lights and Pactolous Lights - all examples of the tragic death lore and none of which can be verified to any high standards.

Investigating Ghost Lights takes a little extra thought and care, and willingness to delve into rational explanations but can be an interesting experience that contributes to haunting and ghosts research.