Michigan Paranormal
Research Association

Many people, skeptics and all, are unsure what an orb is and how it relates to the occult. An orb is usually defined as the result of a spirit attempting to manifest itself. Orbs are energy and emit their own light source-many have a tint of color to them. Some believe the color represents what kind of energy it is also. However, many are dismissed as: dirt, dust, water, or insects. There are many instances where this is true. Here are some simple ways to differentiate between them: Bugs will reflect light in the photograph however they are not cylindrical in shape and don't follow the same size typically. You will see tiny lines sticking out of the object which are wings, legs, etc. Water or any precipitation on the lense will cause the image to blur but won't emit it's own light source. Dirt and dust are the most frequently mistaken sources. They appear to have the same size and shape however there will be no color tint/hue and dirt won't reflect or emit light. I'll post some pictures in order to demonstrate this. I'm also including a photo of smoke and one of "ectoplasm" or "ghost mist" to point out some differences.

 (Below the tree limbs there are several small objects which are bugs. Notice the more irregular consistancy and the wings.)

 These are real, legit orbs. They both are emitting light and have a bluish hue to them.

 These blobs in the image are due to grime and water. Notice they are "smudgy" and have irregular shapes and sizes, do not emit a light source.

 This is a photograph as the result of water on the camera lense. The image is blurred and also emits no light.

 This is a ghostly mist taken at the Manchester cemetery in Michigan. No one was smoking and notice the tinit/hue of the "mist". Also, smoke has a more uniformed line and pattern...

 This is smoke appearing in the photograph due to a cigarette. It has a blueish hue and has a more circular and stringy/stream line pattern.