Orbs are those semi-transparent shapes or "energy forms" that frequently and mysteriously appear in digital photographs. If you have taken digital photos, you have probably captured an orb at some point and wondered, "What's that?"

That very question prompted the separate but simultaneous research of Miceal Ledwith, D.D., LL.D., a theologian, and Klaus Heinemann, Ph.D., a physicist, who had each taken many photos in which orbs appeared. Musicians Hope and Randy Mead and their friends had similarly begun to document the orb phenomenon. This gallery explores their amazing discoveries.

"But aren't orbs just dust?" Find out what these experts say...

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Adapted from "The Orb Project" (Beyond Words, 2007) by Miceal Ledwith & Klaus Heinemann

"There is no doubt that dust particles, pollen, or moisture droplets in the air can produce images that may in some respects resemble true orb photographs, and care must be taken to assess the evidence," writes Miceal Ledwith in "The Orb Project."

"It is likewise true that some camera mechanisms in certain circumstances will produce false pictures of orbs. But it takes very little experience to be able to clearly distinguish the false from the real." The interior features of this photo show that they are true orbs, not fog or dust.

But if they aren't specks of dust, then what are they--balls of energy, ghosts, sentient beings not of this world? For every orb that shows up in a photo, it seems there's a different theory about what they actually are--and what they aren't.

Author Miceal Ledwith believes that "orbs and the realms they inhabit are fundamentally not a matter of faith but of physics." But he also concedes that science and spirituality have more to share with each other than most people would guess.

You've all likely seen them at some point and didn't know what they were unless you knew what to look for. Experts say that orbs have always been present, yet choose when they want to be seen. Miceal Ledwith believes that reality is frequency-based and that orbs are powerful proof of that. By changing our frequency, Ledwith says, we can be open to seeing things that weren't possible before.

It's not uncommon for dozens of orbs to appear in a photograph where there is a happy or healing event taking place. Ledwith says that orbs will be drawn to people and places for a reason--and that the more we clear our brain from distractions and adjust our frequency to the possibilities, the better chance they will choose to be seen.

Orbs very often appear as round objects like those in this photograph, but they can also take other forms. One way true orbs are distinguished from false orbs is by their varied and complex interior designs.

Another way to verify that you are capturing orbs in your photos rather than experiencing "lens flare," or photographing dust or water particles, is to take multiple shots in quick succession from the same vantage point. Orbs will generally demonstrate a clear progression of movement--or even disappear and reappear--from one frame to the next, while false orbs will look the same in successive photos.

There are many different types and shapes of orbs. The photos at the right show some typical examples of round orbs--the myriad colors, rings, and defining features that show how orbs express their individuality.

Even in the midst of kicked-up dust, orbs are clearly visible and different. Orbs can also take on a hexagonal shape (caused by the imprint of the camera shutter) or appear mottled, with holes in their structure. Some orbs have the appearance of veils. Some show bright interior rings, while some appear in many different colors. Others may actually appear to have faces!

Orbs can be observed almost anywhere, in a wide variety of weather and light conditions, even under water! Some orb observers suggest that orbs appear more often where there is joy and celebration, or in the presence of healing. They also seem to favor children and animals, music and dance.

All the researchers consulted for this gallery have documented an increase in orb activity as they took more and more photos, and increased their focus on attracting orbs. As suggested by the images in this gallery and those shared by the public at www.orbprojectbook.com, orbs can appear in virtually any setting.

Digital cameras are now able to capture these images because of their ability to record lower frequencies of light. Digital cameras are more sensitive to the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, where many orbs seem to occur, than ordinary film cameras. People think they can't see orbs with the naked eye, but that is not the case.

They are actually "seeing" them, but their brain filters them out. The brain only lets in what we need every day to function--paying our mortgage, going to work, and eating our meals. But once you start watching for orbs and open up to their presence, you are likely to both see and recognize them with greater frequency.

Any affordable digital camera is suitable for capturing orbs. In fact, expensive cameras often filter them out. It's always best to use the flash, even during the day.

An important tip when shooting orbs is to be patient and to take pictures in the same place every night. It's not something to do on commercial breaks while you're watching television, for instance. The more you're distracted, the less chance you'll have of seeing them. You should be in a relaxed mental state, with little outside interference.

These orbs may be coming into or out of a visible frequency--they're in the process of becoming invisible and visible. Note the mottled look.

"The orb phenomenon might shed light on the human race's attempts to understand itself and where it fits into the cosmos," says Miceal Ledwith. Orbs can be found in all sorts of photos--from hovering around the hands of renowned spirit healers to dancing over the heads of laughing children, to following dolphins in the ocean. Can they interact with us? Are they as aware of us as we are of them? The more we study orbs, the more we can begin to explore this mystery.

Every person who has a simple digital or even a film camera, and some time and patience, can find an orb. Both Klaus Heinemann and Miceal Ledwith experienced a remarkable phenomenon: the more they asked for orbs to appear, the more orbs were visible in their photographs. This suggests something amazing, something that we can't explain. Next time you've got your camera, take a moment to ask for orbs to show up. You never know what you might find.

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