Citation

Geomagnetic activity (GMA) and the lunar cycle have previously been  postulated to facilitate hallucinatory experiences that are subsequently  interpreted as haunting activity. However, findings from previous  studies investigating possible connections are limited by relatively  small sample sizes, broad temporal resolution, or artificial laboratory  settings. To address these limitations, an exploratory analysis was  conducted on 26 years of witness statements comprising 723 unique  reports of apparent haunting activity, obtained from management at Port  Arthur Historic Penal Colony, Tasmania, Australia. We compared frequency  of reports with moon phase, the solar cycle, and monthly, daily, and  hourly measures of GMA (using the Ap index). Report distribution was  significantly correlated both with annual variation in GMA and solar  cycle sunspot frequency. Intraday distributions revealed that reports  were more likely to occur during times below mean daily GMA.  Furthermore, significantly higher frequency of reports occurred during  the two-day period around the new and full moon. The findings suggest  that sensory hallucinations, experienced as haunt activity occur  preferentially during specific periods outside of maximal GMA; during  either relatively quiet periods or perhaps during periods with magnetic  variations more suited to interaction with biological processes. The  observed lunar effect is likely psychogenic in nature due to sensory  feedback.

Keywords: Magnetosphere; Moon; Geomagnetic; Ghosts; Haunting