By: Steve Quinn
From: "Steve Quinn" (msquinn@sbcglobal.net)
To: obiwan@ghosts.org
Subject: Saratoga Ghost Light Investigation (Revised)
Date: Saturday, August 14, 2004 1:20 AM
Date of Investigation: Saturday, August 7, 2004
Pre-trip Inspection: 11:45 AM to 12:10 PM CST
Ghost Hunt: 8:30 PM to 10:15 PM CST
Theory
The Ghost Lights of Bragg Rd near Saratoga, TX have been attributed to swamp gas, vehicle headlights, and ghosts.
Observations
Did not see or smell any evidence of a swamp or swamp gas.
>From the pipeline right-of-way that crosses Bragg Rd, approximately 1.3 miles north of FM 787, headlights of northbound vehicles entering FM 787 from FM 770 became visible after vehicles rounded the first curve, approximately 2.8 miles away.
Although these vehicles are traveling 55 to 65 MPH, the viewer will observe the following:
1. The headlights will appear as a single light source for the duration of the trip from the curve to the south entrance of Bragg Rd, approximately 1.5 miles.
2. The light will bounce or bobble up-and-down and side-to-side as the vehicle traverses the 1.5-mile roadway.
3. The light will fade in at the first curve and fade out at the last curve.
4. The light will appear slightly yellow as it fades in and again, as it fades out.
5. The tail lights of southbound vehicles on FM 787 can also be seen.
6. To the viewer, all lights will appear 100 to 200 yards away and relatively stationary for the time that they are seen, regardless of the speed of the vehicles or their distances from the viewer.
7. When the viewer moves towards the light, the light will appear to move away.
8. When the viewer moves away from the light, the light will appear to follow.
9. The light from the oncoming vehicles will light up the road surface and the trees along the roadway for several miles and then suddenly vanish.
10. The light will spill out of the opening onto the pipeline right-of-way as if an approaching vehicle is about to emerge.
Conclusions
When the light bounces and bobbles about, it appears as if someone or something is holding a lantern, large flashlight, or spotlight.
The sequence of colors (yellow, white, yellow, red) is caused by the vehicle's front right parking lamp, headlights, right front parking lamp, and right rear tailight.
The inability to overtake the light is similar to the inability to overtake mirages of water seen on hot roadways.
The path of the road through the trees creates a perfect tunnel for directing any light source. The sand on the road is very fine and covers the trees along the path. If the silicon content is high, this may explain the refraction phenomenon. In any case, a telescopic effect is concentrating the light down the road like a make-shift laser or holographic projector.
It’s hard to except this ghostly phenomenon as just headlights, especially when research scientists and paranormal investigators have not offered a reasonable explanation for the headlight phenomenon. Until that's done, many people will continue to believe the ghost theory.
Thank You,
Steve Quinn
This page (http://www.ghosts.org/ghostlights/bragginvestigation.html) last updated April 4, 2006.