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Planetary Alignment
06-03-99
Hello AIG members
A few members have enquired about the significance of a supposed 'alignment of the
planets' in the year 2000.
The well-known international radio show "Earth & Sky" (unfortunately not
available in SA) will be commenting on this subject this coming Tuesday on their 90-second
show.
Here is the script of the upcoming show, which makes interesting reading:
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Tuesday, March 9, 1999
PLANETARY ALIGNMENT
The planets are always moving in orbit around the sun. As they move
over decades or centuries, they continually "line up" into different
configurations. A "line up" of planets in the year 2000 -- after this
on Earth and Sky.
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JB: This is Earth and Sky, with a frequently asked question. What will
happen when the planets "line up" in the year 2000?
DB: The modern interest in planetary alignments seems to stem from a
book first published in 1974 -- called The Jupiter Effect. This book
attempted to link the so-called "grand alignment" of planets in the year
1982 with catastrophic earthquakes in California. That alignment came
and went -- without any special catastrophes. But the idea lingers
that an alignment of planets can affect the Earth.
JB: And it cannot, according to scientists. A "perfect alignment" --
where the planets are in their most advantageous position for affecting
Earth gravitationally -- won't occur in the predictable future. Even if
the planets did line up in a straight line, the gravitational effect
would be only one ten-thousandth of the change Earth undergoes on a
daily basis from the shifting positions of the sun and moon.
DB: The alignment of planets in the year 2000 will be far from perfect
-- the planets won't line up in anything like a straight line. Instead,
the planets will simply be located in the same general region of the
solar system. And as for effects on Earth -- none are expected.
JB: To all of you who asked that question -- our thanks. We have more
on the so-called "alignment of planets" in the year 2000 on our web
site. Come to today's show -- March 9 -- at: www.earthsky.com. Our show is
made possible by the National Science Foundation. We're Block and Byrd
for Earth and Sky.
Go to: www.earthsky.com/1999/es990309.html |