Cold spot: Difference between revisions
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'''Cold spot''' may refer to: |
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{{for|the astronomical concept|CMB cold spot}} |
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* [[Cold spot (paranormal)]], an area of low temperature that allegedly indicates the presence of a ghost |
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* [[CMB cold spot]], a vast area of space that is unusually cold in the microwave spectrum |
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* [[Coldspot]], a former Sears brand of refrigerators and other cooling units |
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* [[Ice volcano]], or more specifically a type of ice volcano that is analogous to a geological hotspot. |
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{{Disambiguation}} |
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{{disputed|date=May 2012}} |
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{{notability|date=May 2012}} |
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{{Infobox paranormal term |
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|Image_Name = Irthermo.png |
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|Image_Caption = An [[infrared thermometer]] that measures surface temperatures is believed by [[ghost hunting|ghost hunters]] to also measure air temperature, and thus to locate cold spots. |
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|Usage = Terminology |
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|Name = Paranormal Cold Spots |
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|Origin = |
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|Short = |
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|Additional_Names = |
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|Definition = |
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|Characteristics = |
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|Extra_Title = |
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|Extra_Column = |
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|See_Also = [[Ghost hunting]]<br>[[Haunted house]]<br>[[Stigmatized property]] |
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}} |
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{{paranormal}} |
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In the terminology of [[ghost hunting]], '''''cold spot''''' describes an area of localized [[coldness]] or a sudden decrease in [[ambient temperature]] with an assumed connection to alleged [[paranormal]] activity. The definition of a cold spot is "a small, defined area of intense cold (at least 10 degrees colder than the surrounding area) that can not readily be explained by other natural or mechanical causes (e.g. air conditioning, a drafty window, ice or snow).<ref name="Long Island Paranormal Investigators">{{cite web|last=Long Island Paranormal Investigators|title=Paranormal Terms And Definitions|url=http://www.liparanormalinvestigators.com/definitions.shtml|accessdate=11/7/2011}}</ref> " |
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There is no scientific evidence for such phenomena actually existing and indeed the formation of such a thing would violate the [[laws of thermodynamics]].<ref name=MIT>{{cite web |
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|title=Concept and Statements of the Second Law |
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|url=http://web.mit.edu/16.unified/www/FALL/thermodynamics/notes/node37.html |
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|accessdate=2010-10-07 |
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|publisher=web.mit.edu |
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}}</ref> |
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==Background== |
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Believers claim that cold spots are an indicator of paranormal activity in the area. A cold spot is a space, usually within a building or structure of about the size of a human where the air seems to be noticeably colder. While there is no set definition for what makes a cold spot, it is usually agreed that a cold spot is at least 10 degrees fahrenheit colder than the rest of the room. The cold air seems to be contained within an invisible bubble, believed to be the ghost itself.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hawkins|first=Robb|title=Getting Started in Paranormal Investigation|year=2008|publisher=Robb Hawkins}}</ref> It is further said that a cold spot can be felt consistently in the same place, or seem to move or disappear without warning. |
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In paranormal research, the prevailing theory is that when an entity is trying to manifest itself it draws on many sources of energy, such as the heat energy in air. As the entity draws the heat out of the air the area in that specific location becomes unusually cold, thus creating a 'cold spot'.<ref name="Long Island Paranormal Investigators"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Townsend|first=Maurice|title=Paranormal Co ld Spots|url=http://www.assap.ac.uk/newsite/htmlfiles/Cold%20spots.html|accessdate=10/19/2011}}</ref> |
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Cold spots may exist consistently in the same place or even just for a brief period of time. Some people are more sensitive to cold spots than others, and this might indicate these people have some sort of psychic ability.<ref>{{cite book|last=Joyce|first=Judith|title=The Wiser Field Guide to the Paranormal|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=9aYqjnjDzBQC&pg=PA44&dq=cold+spots+paranormal&hl=en&ei=qQbATrLRJ8qYiQKw5sC7Aw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=cold%20spots%20paranormal&f=false|accessdate=13 November 2011}}</ref> |
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The manifestation of a cold spot is a dynamic created and composed of magneto caloric cooling and the ionization of air.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schill|first=Brian|title=Stalking Darkness|pages=90|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TLRs3H6U2IIC&pg=PA228&dq=cold+spots+paranormal&hl=en&ei=qQbATrLRJ8qYiQKw5sC7Aw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=cold%20spots%20paranormal&f=false}}</ref>. Unfortunately, this idea is in direct violation of the [[second law of thermodynamics]] which may be stated informally as: "''No process is possible whose sole result is the transfer of heat from a cooler to a hotter body''".<ref name=MIT/> |
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Some people think that cold spots represent where a ghost might be drawing energy - they do not claim that a cold spot indicates something bad or evil.<ref>{{cite book|last=Broome|first=Fiona|title=Is Your House Haunted?|pages=101|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OmPitfjaIQ8C&pg=PA101&dq=cold+spots+paranormal&hl=en&ei=rojBTqzmF-fhiAKElaWOAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFoQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=cold%20spots%20paranormal&f=false}}</ref> |
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It is also claimed that warm or hot spots can also form, but are believed to be much more rare than cold spots. Hot spots are believed to be the ghost showing its presence by producing heat just as a living human body would. Like cold spots, hot spots tend to be self contained, about the size of a human, and at least 10 degrees fahrenheit warmer than the surrounding ambient temperature.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Grant|title=Ghost Hunting: Chilling Tales of the Unknown|year=2010|publisher=Hachette Book Group|location=New York, NY}}</ref> |
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==Alleged paranormal indicator== |
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[[Ghost hunting|Ghost hunters]] may carry [[thermographic camera]]s and [[infrared thermometer]]s (which can only detect surface temperatures, rather than ambient air temperatures) to detect and document the presence of possible cold spots in the ambient air of locations that are reported to be [[list of reportedly haunted locations|haunted]]. However, more expensive infrared thermometers have ports for "K-Type" probes that do measure ambient air temperatures.<ref name=danelek1>Danelek, Jeffry Allan [http://www.ourcuriousworld.com/GhosthuntingTools.htm#pt9 "Tools of the ghost hunting trade"], Our Curious World (2007-04-13)</ref> Ghost hunting organizations advise that the spots be checked from several different angles in order to confirm their existence and features.<ref name=danelek1/> |
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It is important that heat detecting devices are used to detect the actual temperature in the room because simply feeling an area of cold air can be misleading. It could be caused by the air moving in the room, which produces an effect called wind chill. Wind chill causes moving air to feel colder to us than standing air.<ref>{{cite web|last=Townsend|first=Maurice|title=Paranormal Cold Spots|url=http://www.assap.ac.uk/newsite/htmlfiles/Cold%20spots.html|accessdate=11/7/2011}}</ref> The ideal way of measuring a cold spot would be to set up a grid with small thermal sensors placed in it. This is a way to measure exactly where a cold spot is <ref>{{cite web|last=Townsend|first=Maurice|title=Paranormal cold spots|url=http://www.assap.ac.uk/newsite/htmlfiles/Cold%20spots.html|accessdate=10/19/11}}</ref> |
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When one is documenting cold spots one finds on an investigation site, they will want to write down the average temperature of the area at the start of the investigation and then document any significant changes in air temperature after. Most of the time, a change in temperature of more than 10 degrees is something that should be noticed and could be a big indicator of if it is a cold spot or not <ref>{{cite web|last=Schill|first=Brian|title=Finding & Understanding Your Cold Spot: A Scientific Explanation|url=http://www.iprfinc.com/brian50.html|accessdate=11/7/2011}}</ref>{{dead-link|date=May 2012}} |
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==Natural variance== |
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Some ghost hunters warn against using cold spots as a paranormal indicator because cold spots can often be explained by natural temperature variances.<ref name=warren1>Warren, Joshua P. (2003) "How to Hunt Ghosts: A Practical Guide" Fireside, ISBN 0-7432-3493-6</ref> Skeptics also commonly dismiss them, saying that it is normal for buildings to experience temperature variations.<ref name=nickell1>Nickell, Joe (September 2006), "[http://www.csicop.org/si/2006-05/i-files.html Investigative Files: Ghost Hunters]", Skeptical Inquirer V30#5 (2007-04-13)</ref> Rooms that are not properly insulated can produce what many would think to be cold spots. Failure to place enough insulation behind the drywall of a building can cause cold air to enter the room, even though there are not visible entrance points for it. A draft such as that can also be caused by an open window or door somewhere in the building. Poor insulation, or no insulation at all, can be common in very old buildings, where many supposed ghost sitings occur. The room or space that you are examining should also be carefully checked for any heat sources or sinks that could cause the cold spot to appear.<ref name="Joyce 2010">{{cite book|last=Joyce|first=Judith|title=The Weiser Field Guide to the Paranormal|year=2010|publisher=Weiser LLC|location=San Francisco, CA}}</ref>{{unreliable-inline|date=May 2012|reason=A publisher of "esoteric" books doesn't sound reliable}} |
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Depending on one's body temperature, a space may feel cold to one person while it feels warm to another. Body temperature can vary from person to person depending on health, age, anxiety, or physical strain. This again highlights why it is so crucial to use technology such as laser thermometers to determine the true presence of a cold spot.<ref name="Joyce 2010"/> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Ghost]] |
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*[[Ghost hunting]] |
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==References== |
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<references/> |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cold Spot}} |
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[[Category:Paranormal terminology]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:48, 7 December 2021
Cold spot may refer to:
- Cold spot (paranormal), an area of low temperature that allegedly indicates the presence of a ghost
- CMB cold spot, a vast area of space that is unusually cold in the microwave spectrum
- Coldspot, a former Sears brand of refrigerators and other cooling units
- Ice volcano, or more specifically a type of ice volcano that is analogous to a geological hotspot.
This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Cold spot.
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If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.