Astronomy/galactic alignment

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Expert: - 7/14/2008


Question
Hello, I have been reading up on galactic alignment recently and can't seem to find much objective, scientific information on the topic. Do you know if the earth will actually be aligned with the center of the galaxy in 2012? If so, would this be very likely to have an effect on earth and the sun such as teh effect of spring and neap tides on the the oceans?
Thanks,
Darren

Answer
Hello,

I believe I answered this before in some form, so you may wish to check the past questions and answers associated with my profile. As I said then, and say again, this is mostly inflated balderdash. There is no evidence any kind of cosmic "alignment" - galactic or other- will cause any changes associated with the Earth, or the Sun or tides or anything else.

The most recent fiasco associated with "alignments" was the Jupiter Effect in 1982, which turned out to be a major dud. Google for more information.

Now, if that "alignment" of relatively nearby bodies (planets) could not even raise a tide of 1 mm on the Sun, how are distant galactic objects going to do any more? They can't!  

Astronomy

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Philip Stahl

Expertise

I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.

Experience

Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics

Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research

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