Using Spectroscopy to Solve Supernatural Mysteries👽

In this year’s Halloween Special, see how the StellarNet X-Files team is fighting the supernatural with spectroscopy. ALL 5 EPISODES ARE OFFICIALLY OUT!

Episode 1: Icy Parasite

When violent and mysterious deaths occur among a group of scientists who have been conducting research on a remote research station in Antarctica, the StellarNet X-Files team goes to investigate. What they didn’t expect to find were unfamiliar organisms that resemble worms inhabiting human bodies. These parasitic organisms have the ability to infect and control the minds of its hosts. After this discovery, the team and the remaining survivors become increasingly paranoid the worms were inside of them too. While surveying the area and looking for clues, they stumbled upon an ice core that seems to be where the worms are coming from.

With LIBS, or Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, the team analyzed bits of rock surrounding the mysterious organism frozen in the ice. LIBS is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. It uses a high power laser to ablate the sample into a plasma form. Then, the elemental composition is collected using spectrometers.

The StellarNet X-Files team has a Portable LIBS System just for this type of analysis! The meteorite fragments contain 91% Fe, 5% Ni, 1.51% P, 0.3% Co, and a host of other elements. Turns out, the ice core is part of a meteor approximately 250,000 years old! This ancient species found its way to Earth and the team stopped the spread by eliminating the parasitic worms.

Episode 2: Electric Vengeance

A shocking case takes the StellarNet X-Files team to the Midwest where there’s a spike in electricity-related deaths linked to a local teen who seems to have the power to control electricity. This odd occurrence calls for an investigation by the team to solve the murders and figure out if this teenager is actually causing the deaths. Upon arrival, the team discovers that there is a green light aura that surrounds the teen when she gets angry. They measured the color of light emission with a StellarNet SpectroRadiometer System and compared the spectra to their database of paranormal light sources.

The spectroscopic data was a match to bright green lightning from Ammonia-water clouds, similar to those found on the planet Jupiter! When the StellarNet X-Files team confronted the teenager for possibly being a Jovian extraterrestrial, the teenager, in a fit of rage, shot green bolts of electricity from her fingers. Luckily the StellarNet X-Files team used an optical mirror to reflect the light back in her direction. The overdrive of electric current caused a massive green explosion and when the light faded the teenager was gone.

By using spectroscopy, the team analyzed the mysterious green light and the electromagnetic spectra associated with her powers to catch the teen before she hurt anyone else!

Episode 3: Deadly Glow

When a group of loggers go missing in a remote forest in Washington state, there’s suspicion surrounding the environmental activists who were protesting the deforestation of the area. However, no one could have expected what really happened. The StellarNet X-Files team discover that the loggers’ disappearance is linked to a swarm of ancient, prehistoric, and bioluminescent insects. These insects emerge every 30 years and cocoon their victims in silk, immobilizing them. The team, along with a small group of survivors, become trapped in the forest and must find a way to survive the insect onslaught.

While trapped, the team studies the emission spectra of these organisms. By using a fluorescence spectrometer to analyze the wavelengths of light emitted during bioluminescence, they were able to gain insights into the chemical processes and compounds involved in this natural phenomenon. Figuring out the insects were sensitive to light and avoided well-lit areas, the StellarNet X-Files team used floodlights and fire to keep them away where the bugs eventually went back into their cocoons for another 30 years.

Episode 4: Ancient Curse

The StellarNet X-Files team investigate a series of mysterious deaths that occur in a small, remote mining town in Brazil. The deaths are connected to the excavation of ancient artifacts, specifically a cursed relic that has been disturbed. As the investigation progresses, they encounter unexplained and gruesome deaths, with strange symbols and markings left at the crime scenes. They also come across a local shaman who believes that a curse has been unleashed.

Using NIR spectroscopy, the team analyzes soil samples and artifacts from the burial site. This analysis revealed unique chemical compositions and energy patterns connected to the curse. The curse is linked to a group of vengeful Amazonian spirits, who are taking revenge for the desecration of their sacred artifacts. The curse is finally broken when the stolen relics are returned to their rightful place, and the spirits are appeased.

Episode 5: Syzygy Hysteria

A series of bizarre and violent incidents are happening in a small town in Connecticut. According to the town, these incidents are seemingly connected to a rare astrological event known as a syzygy, where the alignment of celestial bodies is believed to cause unusual behavior. As the StellarNet X-Files team delve into the case, they discover that the town’s residents are experiencing heightened levels of aggression and paranoia, leading to a series of murders and other violent acts. The investigation is further complicated by the presence of two teenage girls who are obsessed with astrology and are believed to have a sinister influence on the town’s events.

Using StellarNet spectrometers connected to telescopes, the team analyzes emission spectra of stars in nearby celestial bodies associated with the alignment, attempting to uncover its supernatural effects. However, the results are not what they expected. They don’t find anything that could cause this mass hysteria and after interviewing the townspeople, realize the teenagers created this hoax and spread false information which caused paranoia across the town. After uncovering this and confronting the girls, the violence started to subside and the town will now use spectroscopy to verify any future astronomical claims.

Spooky Eyeball Cake Halloween Recipe

Ingredients:

One (18.25-ounce) box cake mix (plus required ingredients)

One (12-ounce) can frosting (any kind)

12 ounces white chocolate melting disks

Assorted gel icing, for decorating

Directions👻

1 Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions for a 9-by-13-inch cake or two 9-inch cakes. Allow to cool slightly in the pan, then remove to a rack, cover with a dish towel and let cool completely.

2 Break off sections of the cake and crumble in a large bowl. When finished, you should have a bunch of very fine cake crumbs. Using a rubber spatula, work the frosting into the cake until it is no longer visible. (Even if you use white frosting with red velvet cake, the white will eventually blend in entirely.)

3 Next, roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (a small ice cream scoop helps with this) and set on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This is important: Pop ’em in the freezer, uncovered, for at least an hour. The cake balls need to be very firm before coating them.

4 When the cake balls are nice and firm, place the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. (Don’t let the bowl touch the water.) Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan. Add the cake balls one at a time to the melted white chocolate and gently roll to coat. Using a fork, lift out the cake balls, then tap the fork against the side of the bowl to remove the excess chocolate. With a toothpick, push the ball off of the fork and back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Let set at room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes. Decorate with gel icing to look like eyeballs.

Recipe Courtesy of Ree Drummond | From: Food Network Magazine

The X-Files of Spectroscopy Halloween Special