| Paranormal / Parapsychology Terminology |
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|---|---|
| Details | |
| Terminology: | Min Min Light |
| Definition: | A unusual light formation found in Aboriginal myths and Australian folklore[1] |
| Signature: | An unexpected light with no apparent local source. Mainly reported in Western Australia. |
| Misc | |
| Coined by: | Aboriginal myth[1] |
| Status | Natural phenomena |
| See Also: | Fata Morgana |
Min Min Light is the name given to an unusual light formation that has been reported numerous times in eastern Australia. A fata morgana is a Mirage, an Optical phenomenon which results from a Temperature inversion. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. [1][2] The lights have been reported from as far south as Brewarrina in western New South Wales, to as far north as Boulia in northern Queensland. Brewarrina is a small town (2006 population 1121 in North West New South Wales, Australia on the banks of the Darling / Barwon River in Boulia is a town in Central West Queensland, Australia. It is located approximately 296 kilometres by road south of Mount Isa, and lies on the Burke Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern corner of the mainland continent The majority of sightings are reported to have occurred in Channel Country. The Channel Country of Queensland, Australia, is located in the remote south west of the state [1]
Stories about the lights can be found in aboriginal myth pre-dating western settlement of the region and have since become part of wider Australian folklore. Australian folklore refers to the Folklore and Urban legends of Australia. [1] Indigenous Australians hold that the number of sightings has increased alongside the increasing ingression of Europeans into the region. Indigenous Australians are descendants of the first known human inhabitants of the Australian continent and its nearby islands. [1] According to folklore, the lights sometime follow or approached people and have disappeared when fired upon, only to reappear later on. History The concept of folklore developed as part of the 19th century ideology of Romantic nationalism, leading to the reshaping of oral traditions to serve modern ideological [1][2]
The light's existence as a phenomenon has been confirmed [3], though there remains debate over their source. [1] Various explanations have been put forward, ranging from optical illusions and piezoelectrics to luminescent animals. A fata morgana is a Mirage, an Optical phenomenon which results from a Temperature inversion. Piezoelectricity is the ability of some materials (notably Crystals and certain Ceramics including bone to generate an Electric potential in response to [4]
Contents |
Appearance and Behavior
Accounts of the light appearances vary, though they are most commonly described as being fuzzy disc shaped lights that appear to hover just above the horizon. The horizon ( Ancient Greek ὁ ὁρίζων, /ho horídzôn/ from ὁρίζειν, "to limit" is the apparent line that separates [2][1]They are often described as being white, though some accounts describe them as changing color from white to red to green and back again. Some accounts describe them as being dim, others describe them as being bright enough to illuminate the ground under them and to cause nearby objects to throw clearly defined shadows. [2][1]
Some witnesses describe the light as appearing to approach them several times before retreating. Others report that the lights were able to keep pace with them when they were in a moving motor vehicle. [2][1]
Hypothesis
Various hypothesis have been put forward to explain the lights. Explanations include:
Bioluminescence
It has been hypothesized that the light may be the result of insects swarming that have taken on bioluminescencent characteristics after being contaminated by naturally occurring agents found in local fungi [1], or of species of owl with their own naturally occurring source of bioluminescence. Bioluminescence' is the production and emission of Light by a living Organism as the result of a chemical reaction during which chemical energy is converted [4]
Geophysical lights
A second hypothesis is that the lights are the result of known geophysical phenomena, such as piezoelectrics. Piezoelectricity is the ability of some materials (notably Crystals and certain Ceramics including bone to generate an Electric potential in response to [1] Though in many cases lights are reported from areas without favorable geological conditions. [1]
Refraction
A third hypothesis is that the lights are the result of an optical illusion known as a Fata Morgana, causing remote lights or object to appear closer, and in a less recognizable form. A fata morgana is a Mirage, an Optical phenomenon which results from a Temperature inversion. [1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Pettigrew, John D. (2003) "The Min Min light and the Fata Morgana: An optical account of a mysterious Australian phenomenon", Clinical and Experimental Optometry, V86#2 P. 109–120
- ^ a b c d e Kozicka, M. G. "The Mystery of the Min Min Light. Cairns", Bolton Imprint
- ^ Salleh, Anna (2003-03-28) "Mystery of the Min Min lights explained", News in Science, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2008-01-06)
- ^ a b Silcock, F. F. (2004) "The Min Min Light: The Visitor Who Never Arrives"
External links
- 'The Min Min light and the Fata Morgana. An optical account of a mysterious Australian phenomenon'. by J.D. Pettigrew
- Mystery of the Min Min light explained
- 'The Min Min Light: The Visitor Who Never Arrives' by Fred F. Silcock
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