Paranormal investigators are making use of thermometers to find out if there is a temperature drop in the surrounding area that they are investigating. If they notice an erratic change or drop in the temperature then it becomes an area of interest for them. However, a drop in temperature can also be attributed to other factors. These include switching on of air conditioners, the opening of doors or windows during winters, and even old locations that have aged buildings. Having said that, in this excerpt, we will discuss the use of ghost hunting thermometers and their types. Let’s get started!
Ghost Hunting Thermometers
Once a paranormal investigator is able to identify and eliminate these causes then it becomes a point of interest for him. It is very important for a paranormal investigator to only further investigate after he/she is sure that the fluctuations in the temperature were indeed a result of some other reason and not any natural reason.
Now, the next job of a paranormal investigator is to take note of all such fluctuations in ghost hunting thermometers. This means that he should document everything properly. This will not only help him to further investigate but also aid in the development of paranormal research as a discipline. Without documentation, facts might get muddled up and one might end up wasting their time and resources for nothing.
Now, using a thermometer to find out such fluctuations is not a very complicated process. However, it is very important for a paranormal investigator to select the right thermometer depending upon the situation he is in. By this I mean, the selection should depend on surroundings and the environmental conditions at that point. Furthermore, there are two main types of ghost hunting thermometers used in investigating the paranormal: Infrared & Ambient Thermometers.
Ambient Thermometers
The primary function of ambient ghost hunting thermometers is to measure the temperature of whatever it comes in contact with. This includes the air around you and basically everything around you. There are two versions of ambient thermometers. The older models have a glass tube that has mercury in it. While the newer models present the data digitally.
Digital Thermometer
Digital Ghost Hunting Thermometers don’t use mercury to find out the change in the temperature. They use what we call a thermistor to find out and record the fluctuations in the temperature. Thermistors are basically electronic resistors that are sensitive to temperature. When the temperature is low, thermistors have a high level of resistance that prevents them from conducting electricity. When there is an increase in temperature, there is also an improvement in the conductivity of thermistors. Thermometers have an entry-level computer that uses information gathered by the thermistor to calculate the temperature which is purely based on the level of electronic resistance.
Use of Digital Ghost Hunting Thermometers
As far as working with a digital thermometer goes, one needs to keep in mind a few things. The location of the thermistor should be known as thermistors measure temperature. If you hold the thermometer by the thermistor then you might end up measuring the temperature of your hand. So, it is highly imperative to know where the thermistor is located on the thermometer.
In addition, most digital ghost hunting thermometers use the same mechanics and function the same way. However, some thermometers are more useful in paranormal investigations than others. If you are someone who is searching the web for a digital thermometer, then there are two things you should be looking for. One is the speed or the response time and the other is a bare thermistor.
A bare thermistor can be used to find out the exact temperature. If you feel that there is a cold spot near you then you can just put the thermistor on the spot and you will be able to get the temperature of the same. The thermometer should also be very snappy when it comes to recording fluctuations as sometimes the temperature drops very quickly and without a good response time, it won’t be able to record any changes.
Infrared Thermometer
These ghost hunting thermometers work on a relatively different mechanism. An infrared thermometer basically works on the theory that most objects with a temperature above zero radiate infrared energy. There are molecular disturbances that happen because of the heat within an object. These disturbances also radiate electron vibrations that lead to the emission of infrared energy. The wavelengths of the I-R energy depend upon the temperature. This I-R energy emitted from an object is just like electromagnetic radiation and its characteristics are also similar to that of light.
Hence, the energy is projected at a speed similar to that of light which makes it flow in all directions. I-R ghost hunting thermometers are also used by a number of paranormal investigators out there. This is mainly because it is easy to use and the results are instant. If there is a deformity in the temperature then an I-R thermometer records it very quickly.
Use of Infrared Ghost Hunting Thermometers
An I-R thermometer is useful for paranormal investigations because it has a very quick response time during fluctuations in temperature. If you want to use an infrared thermometer in the best possible way, then it is highly imperative to understand what you are measuring. A lot of thermometers out there have a laser pointer that is built-in and is used to find out the direction in which the thermometer is pointed. Many people think that when they are making use of an infrared thermometer, they are profiling the temperature of objects that the dot touches.
Infrared ghost hunting thermometers measure the temperature of the thing we point it at. But, its precision depends upon its distance from the said object. So, if you measure the temperature of an object or a thing from a very close range, then in most cases the readings and the actual temperature of the object are the same. However, if you measure the same object from a distance of 10 meters, you will end up getting a very different reading.
The chief reason for this is the cone whose size increases with the distance. Hence, you are unable to determine the actual temperature of the object. It is due to the fact that ghost hunting thermometers are also collecting the temperature of the air between the object and itself. It is also collecting the I-R energy of any other objects near it as the distance has now increased. In these kinds of instances, the thermometer might show an average temperature.
Measure the Temperature While Using Infrared Ghost Hunting Thermometers
Therefore, when you are using an infrared thermometer during a paranormal investigation, then you should try to measure the object’s temperature as close as possible. This not only gives you more dependable data but also provides you with more accurate readings of the same.
Another very important thing to note here is that infrared ghost hunting thermometers are not very good at measuring floating cold spots. So, if you point the thermometer at a cold spot, you will end up getting the average temperature of the cold spot. This will include the temperature of any objects or air behind the cold spot. Hence, the data will not be pristine or accurate. Therefore, I recommend taking note of all such nearby objects and use the thermometer in a way that yields the correct results.
When you point ghost hunting thermometers at a cold spot, then it might show a lower temperature. But, it is not showing the actual temperature of the cold spot. It is the aggregate of the temperature of the nearby objects as well. So, what you end up getting is the influence of the cold spot upon the nearby objects and vice-versa.
Conclusion
At this point in time, there is no thermometer available in the market that is adaptive for the conditions. One can not just use one to find and record the correct data. There will be lapses. One type of thermometer has its perks and cons while the other types have some other perks and cons. What I recommend is that a paranormal investigator should make use of all the available types of thermometers at his disposal. This is because, during an investigation, you never know what situation one might encounter. The conditions can also vary widely. Hence, I recommend that you use your instruments in a way that will help you get a wider array of data.
Data is of the essence. Without the presence of data, all your research will amount to nothing. Data will help you find evidence and evidence will help you find the truth. After all, most of us, the paranormal researchers, are looking for the truth. Right? So, in order to find this truth you need to get your basics right. And your basics can never be right if you are working with faulty equipment and muddled data.
