Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!occrsh!uokmax!norlin
From: norlin@uokmax.UUCP (Norman Lin)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Kirlian photography
Message-ID: <3778@uokmax.UUCP>
Date: 13 Sep 89 21:48:02 GMT
Reply-To: norlin@uokmax.UUCP (Norman Lin)
Organization: University of Oklahoma, ECN
Lines: 42


>In article <3727@uokmax.UUCP> you write:

in Time Life's "Mysteries of the Unknown" series, and the title was something
like "ESP Powers" or something.  Anyway, if I remember correctly, the book
explains that Kirlian photography involves passing a high voltage through (or
above, or around, or something like that) a photographic plate with the
subject (such as a cut leaf) on the plate.  Then, the developed picture shows
the complete image of the leaf.  Find the book for more information.

>I was wondering how much information those books include.  You only mention
>an explanation of equipment, but not procedure (how to duplicate the
>examples given) nor function (how it works).  Does the book include that
>information?
>
>A few days ago in another newsgroup, someone explained that the "cut leaf"
>image was done by cutting the leaf on the equipment and removing the cut
>part.  As Kirlian photography functions by photographing the discharge
>of electrical currents, the missing side was photographed by the
>moisture it left on the equipment.  The "Unknown" was water.

[Posted with permission of sender]

Mr. Wilcoxon:

To begin with, the Time-Life book I refer to is, unfortunately, designed to
be more attention grabbing than scientifically informative.  As such, it
contains no information on how, specifically, to duplicate the results.  It
does, however, contain a brief history of the method and a sketchy description
of the apparatus, along with spectacular color photographs.

The book does not explain why the Kirlian effect works; that's the "unknown"
part.  It says, I believe, that the Kirlian effect "hints at a mysterious
energy matrix holding templates for all life."  Take that as you will.

As to the other person's posting that the Kirlian effect was due to the
cutting of the leaf ON the plate...the book DOES address that doubt.  It
says, and I believe I quote, "Most serious investigators, however, insist
that the leaf is cut before any part of it touches the plate."  Although,
as I mentioned, the books are a tad on the sensationalist side, I tend to
believe that the leaf IS cut BEFORE it touches the plate.  Again, one must
judge for oneself.