Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from ...

132 SKIES AT NIGHT ARE BIG AND BRIGHT
the oncoming onslaught. On their web site (http://www.zyz.com/
survivalcenter/echange.html), they reported,
Some scientists have already reported a distinct increased wobble
to the earth as it begins to respond to the gravitational pull of
the alignment . . . predictions [of the results of the alignment]
range from a few earthquakes to major earth crust movement
(slippage), polar ice cap movement, sea levels rising 100 to 300
feet or more, huge tidal waves, high winds 500 to 2000 miles per
hour, earthquakes so massive that Richter 13 or more could be
possible, both coasts of USA under water, magnetic shift and much
more.
In 1998, I e-mailed them with this question: “May I ask, who
are the people making these predictions? I would appreciate being
able to contact them so that I may present my arguments on this
issue.” They replied, basically informing me that I had my sources
and they had theirs. They wouldn’t tell me who their sources or
what their credentials were. I’m not surprised; backed up by hard
science, no one can truthfully claim that the planets can have any
sudden and catastrophic effect on the Earth. I would have serious
doubts about the Survival Center’s expertise in this matter anyway,
even if they had revealed their sources. My opinion in situations
such as these is, “Beware the science of someone trying to sell you
something.”
Of course, I’m trying to sell you something as well. But in my
case, I’m peddling skepticism. You can go and find this stuff out
for yourself if you try hard enough. The math isn’t hard, and the
conclusions are, well, conclusive.
My only real complaint about this whole alignment business—
besides the vultures preying on people’s fears—is that we weren’t
able to see it. The Sun was in the way, completely overwhelming
the relatively feeble light from the planets and our Moon. So, not
only were we denied the excitement of impending disaster, but also
we couldn’t even take a picture of it to show our grandkids! And
we’ll have to wait until September of 2040 for the next good alignment.
At least that one will be visible at night.