2012
News
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National
Geographic News:
Earth-Size Planet to Be Found in Outer Solar System? Julian Ryall for National Geographic News March 17, 2008
A planet roughly the size of Earth could be tracing a vast, elliptical
orbit at the outer edge of our solar system—and astronomers
in Japan think they know where to find it. The presence of this unnamed body has been suggested before, noted Tadashi Mukai, a professor at Kobe University's department of earth and planetary sciences. "We have been able to identify more than 1,100 objects beyond Neptune since 1992, and a huge number of objects are showing large orbital eccentricities and elliptical orbits," Mukai said. This suggests that a body with sizeable mass must be influencing the movement of these objects by exerting a gravitational pull. But the extreme distance and unusual orbit of the elusive "Planet X" have made it difficult to spot even with the most advanced telescopes. In a paper appearing in an upcoming issue of the Astronomical Journal, Mukai and colleagues propose that other researchers have simply been looking in the wrong place. "We have reached our conclusions from simulations that explain the orbital elements," Mukai said. "We are now looking in places that we have not looked before, and I think we will be able to see the planet within the next five or ten years." Big, But Light The eight known planets in our solar system are on very similar elliptical orbits and are all almost within the ecliptic plane, the geometric plane that roughly describes Earth's orbit around the sun. "Most surveys [looking for Planet X] are concentrated toward the ecliptic plane, since that is where most solar system objects concentrate," said Mark Sykes, director of the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona. The new models, however, suggest that Planet X is circling the sun on a 20 to 40 degree angle relative to the ecliptic plane. The discovery of new planets with higher inclinations, like [the dwarf planet] Eris, encourages more searches of those regions," Sykes said. In addition to its odd orbit, Planet X should have a diameter between 6,200 and 9,900 miles (10,000 and 16,000 kilometers), according to Mukai's team. By contrast, Earth's diameter is about 7,900 miles (12,800 kilometers).
Despite its size, the planet will probably have a far lower density than Earth, the researchers think. Earth has iron at its core, but if Planet X formed in the outer reaches of the solar system, it will have stone at its center and a mantle of ice. The surface of the planet will probably be similar to that of Pluto—covered with ice made of water, ammonia, or methane with a surface temperature between -423.7 and -405.7 degrees Fahrenheit (-253.1 and -243.1 degrees Celsius). Alternatively, if it is a "rogue" planet that took shape in the inner reaches of the solar system, the body could be mostly rock with a metallic core and its primordial atmosphere frozen on its surface. Planet X's strange, oblong orbit means that it would take the object about a thousand years to orbit the sun, the researchers say, which could be one reason no one has spotted it yet. What's more, the body's closest approach would bring it only within 80 astronomical units (AUs) of the sun, while its furthest distance would be about 200 AUs. (One AU equals the distance between Earth and the sun, about 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers.) The most distant known planet, Neptune, is about 30 AUs during its closest approach. Not a Planet? The idea of looking at higher angles than the known planets' orbits raises the likelihood that more distant bodies will be found, said Sykes, of the Planetary Science Institute. "If this object is discovered, it would help us understand how many others there might be out there," Sykes said. "It would be a fascinating object to visit." Its discovery would also cause a major stir in the astronomical world, he said. Like Pluto, the new body would not dominate its orbit and so would not be classified as a planet under the recently changed definition of the International Astronomical Union. But before that controversy can erupt anew, researchers have to actually find Planet X. Mukai and colleagues are hopeful that the Pan-STARRS mission slated to start in 2009 will do the job. This multi-facility collaboration being led by the University of Hawaii will pool data from four telescopes based in Hawaii that will constantly scan the skies for asteroids, Mukai said. When the telescopes are operational, there is a good possibility that they will make unprecedented discoveries about the most distant parts of our solar system. "I agree that there is the possibility of other large planetoids out there" in addition to Planet X, he said. "We certainly cannot discount that possibility." http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080317-new-planet.html |
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people worldwide seek answers about Planet X Planet X or Nibiru as it is also known, is a subject that interests a large number of people. The issue for www.Australia.TO is the fact that, whatever the truth, there are many genuine people who believe in the existence of the planet . Many suggest that leaders throughout the world have been informed and that the public are being denied information about a perceived upcoming disaster to preserve the world economic system and too prevent panic. NASA has denied the existence of Planet X ( 2003 ) but that has not stopped the worldwide interest. It seems to be a subject that occupies people late at night when sitting at a keyboard in the hope of discovering something about ghosts, the meaning of life and the universe. Yesterday we published some images of what a reader said was Planet X. Bloggers have described the images as "lens blur" or "lens reflection" resulting in a duplicate of the light from the setting Sun. We do not know the answer. What is interesting is that a lot of people are hoping for more information on Nibiru. One visitor sent us a link to a United States based website entitled, Planet X, 2012, Nibiru, Nostradamus, Cut to the Chase and More. On this website there is reference to religion or Christianity having some application in the quest to learn about Planet X. It appears that some people believe that a quest for knowledge about the existence or non existence of Nibiru is contrary to religious teachings. The site goes on to say, "As a devout Christian, Dr. Rand soundly rejects the orthodox position that the study of Planet X is a heretical path leading away from God." One site visitor sent in some images that purport to be planet X. In this one there is something below the Sun.  There is a
website devoted to Planet X and refers to a Norwegian
politician who is warning people to prepare for an event ( or events )
that will occur around 2012.
"I am a Norwegian politician. I would like to say that difficult things will happen from the year 2008 till the year 2012. The Norwegian government is building more and more underground bases and bunkers. When asked, they simply say that it is for the protection of the people of Norway. When I enquire when they are due to be finished, they reply “before 2011”. Israel is also doing the same and many other countries too. My proof that what I am saying is true is in the photographs I have sent of myself and all the Prime Ministers and ministers I tend to meet and am acquainted with. They know all of this, but they don’t want to alarm the people or create mass panic. Planet X is
coming, and Norway has begun with storage of food and seeds in the
Svalbard area and in the arctic north with the help of the US and EU
and all around in Norway. They will only save those that are in the
elite of power and those that can build up again: doctors, scientists,
and so on.
As for me, I already know that I am going to leave before 2012 to go the area of Mosjøen where we have a deep underground military facility. There we are divided into sectors, red, blue and green. The signs of the Norwegian military are already given to them and the camps have already been built a long time ago. The people that are going to be left on the surface and die with along the others will get no help whatsoever. The plan is that 2,000,000 Norwegians are going to be safe, and the rest will die. That means 2,600,000 will perish into the night not knowing what to do. All the sectors and arks are connected with tunnels and have railcars that can take you from one ark to the other. This is so that they can be in contact with each other. Only the large doors separate them so that the sectors are not compromised in any matter. I am very sad. Often I cry with others that know that so many will learn too late, and then it will all be over for them. The government has been lying to the people from 1983 till now. All the major politicians know this in Norway, but few will say it to the people and the public - because they are afraid in case they too will miss the NOAH 12 railcars that will take them to the ark sites where they will be safe. If they tell anyone, they are dead for sure. But I don’t care any more about myself. Mankind must survive and the species must survive. People must know this. All the governments in the world are aware of this and they just say it is going to happen. For those of the people that can save themselves I can only say reach for higher ground and find caves up in the high places where you can have a food storage for at least five years with canned food and water to last for a while. Radiation pills and biosuits are also advisable if your budget allows it. For the last time I say may God help us all... but God will not help us I know. Only each person individually can make a difference. Wake up, please...! I could have written to you using another name but I am not afraid of anything any more. When you know certain things, you become invincible and no harm can come to you when you know that the end is soon. I assure you 100% that things will happen. There are four years to prepare for the endgame. Get weapons, and make survival groups, and a place where you can be safe with food for a time. Ask me anything and I will answer as much as I know about the Norwegian connection to all this. And just look around: they are building underground bases and bunkers everywhere. Open your eyes, people. Ask the governments what they are building, and they will say “Oh, it’s just storage for food”, and so on. They blind you with all the lies. The marks of the alien presence are also there, and I often see the Norwegian elite politicians are not what they say they are. It’s like they are controlled in every thought, and what they have to say is just as they are told to do things in such manners. It is clear for me who they are, and who they are not. You can see it in their eyes and in their minds. Remember that those who are going to be in and around the city areas in 2012 are those that are going to be hit first and die first. Later the army will purge the rest of the survivors and they have a shoot to kill order if there is any resistance to bring them into the camps where every one will get marked with a number and a tag. I also see that Benazir Bhutto is spoken of on your site. Her death was tragic. I have met Benazir, as you can see. You will also see from the photographs that I have met with a number of other notable politicians and world leaders. The public will not know what happens till the very end, because the government does not want to create mass panic. Everything will happen quietly and the government will just disappear. But I say this: don't go quietly into the night. Take precautions to be safe with your family. Come together with others. Work together to find ways to solve all the many problems you will face. Kind regards More on that
message can be found here - Project
Camelot | A letter from a Norwegian politician
source:
http://www.australia.to/story/0,25197,23040466-929,00,00.html
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Planet
X keeps a lot of survivalists busy with theories of
destruction and chaos.
Tuesday March 25, 2008 8:35pm EST BRISBANE, Australia - Village medicine men used to keep the tribe under control with threats of drawing on the Gods to cause mayhem to trouble makers. Religion does a good job of keeping that trend alive: "sin and you will go to hell" Fast forward 2008 years and you have people predicting that Planet X will arrive in 2012 and pass through our solar system before arching off on it's timeless odyssey around the Milky Way Galaxy. www.Disclose.TV even has the video out before the event. It is described as "Presented in this video are some photos of what many people call Nibiru and Planet X. They are very real and my evidence is pure fact. What many people do not realise, is that Nibiru is in fact a dark star, about half the size of our Sun. It has a number of large planets and moons orbiting around it, one of which is Planet X. It's kind of like a mini solar system. These objects are heading towards us, as they have done in the distant past. These objects will become visible to every human on Earth within the next couple of years. Some time around 2012/13, these objects will be closer to us than our own Sun, and will dominate the daytime and nighttime sky. Another fact many people do not know about, is that Planet X is an inhabited planet. The US government knows this, and are in fact in contact with them because this is not just a catastrophic event for us, it is for them as well. Many people can be saved, but actions need to be taken NOW. If we leave it to the last minute, it will be to late. Within the next few years, nobody will be able to hide the fact these objects are heading towards us, because they will be seen by everyone and will grow larger as they approach us. Global panic is unavoidable and this event is unavoidable." In an article posted apparently by NASA : May 05, 2003 by a David Morrison the existence of Planet X or Niburu was ridiculed on its then predicted 2003 visit.. "The wild stories about an approaching planet or comet are false!" For months, weird stories have circulated on the Internet predicting the close passage by Earth this month of a Planet X sometimes called "Niburu", or in some versions a giant comet. I have even seen it linked to both Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) and Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), although why either of these is relevant is not clear to me. This news note is for those who may have heard such rumors and wondered if there was any reality to them. The simple answer is that these are lies. There is no such object. Also, there have been no unusual levels of earthquakes or solar flares or any other of the supposed precursors of terrestrial calamity. Contrary to what you see on some of these websites, nothing unusual is happening and scientists are not worried by such supposed events. Even more to the point, it is already evident that there is no large comet or looming planet bearing down on the Earth. [For those who might want to see this nonsense, try Google searches on "Niburu" or "Nancy Leider"] If you want the real story on Nibiru or Planet X, check out the following website http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/planetx/index.html. I wonder how long this fiction can be sustained in the face of clear evidence that it is not true? The absence of the May apparition of a planet or giant comet looming large in the world's skies should be pretty obvious, and the usual story about a government cover-up would not seem to apply. I suppose, however, that the people who are expounding this nonsense will find some excuses to explain why their predictions did not materialize. Here is the link to that debunking article.http://impact.arc.nasa.gov/news_detail.cfm?ID=125 Then bad astromomy had a go at mocking the celestial threat.on this internet page: http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/planetx/index.html "Doomsayers seem to pop up every few years. Last time, it was the alignment of the planets that somehow managed not to destroy the Earth in May 2000. Now, we have Planet X. A few people are claiming that a heretofore unknown planet in our solar system is on a very long, elliptical orbit. In May 2003, it will pass close enough to the Earth to affect it in some way, causing it to flip over (what many call a "pole shift") and spur many other huge disasters. The end result will be the deaths of many billions of people. There are a large number of web pages, chat rooms and books about Planet X and its horrible effects on the Earth. So the question is, does this planet exist, and will it come by in May 2003 and cause all this horror? No and No. As much as I know anything in science, I know that there is no Planet X as described by this latest crop of Chicken Littles. How do I know this? Well, we'll have to look a little bit at the claims of the people doing the doomsaying, and why what they say is patently false. Along the way, I'll be talking about gravity, orbits, brown dwarfs, and why speculation is a great way to enflame emotions, but a terrible way to get the truth." Lately Rumor Mill News at this page http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi/noframes/read/7553 has had a say: "The NIBURU CONNECTION: I'm going to go out on a limb here: I think this tells us something about WHEN our government first learned about Niburu. You see, I think BART was delayed because the Federal Government descended upon the local (State? or City? We don't know.) government at the time and told them that they needed an underground bomb shelter in case of nuclear war. But the real reason was quite different: The CIA through its Remote Viewing Project had learned that a celestial body, far larger than Earth, made regular trips into our part of the solar system causing great havoc and devastating most of life on earth. Indeed, they were expecting just such a visit around the end of the Century. This was only 30 years away, after all, and when would they have a better time to 'hide' the building of a rather large structure in which to 'take care' of the local 'powers that be' and their families? " A well known identity in the mystery department, Zecharia Sitchin has a website entitled "The Official Web Site of Zecharia Sitchin" which refers to "Are the ancient gods still here or did they leave? Will they return? What will happen then? Will there be another Deluge or Apocalypse when Nibiru meets Earth? What about “Planet X” and the Mayan 2012? What about Jesus?" The talk of impending doom has created an industry. Many wealthy American's are reportedly secretly paying for underground life supporting bunkers to be constructed for family and friends to survive Planet X. The survival industry is alive and well in the USA as the next apocalypse apparently approaches. Perhaps the grey UFO occupant's will make an appearance to ward off Niburu. http://www.australia.to/story/0,25197,23040466-923,00,00.html |
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The
Sprint to 2012
by Eric Francis Coppolino, The astrology of 2008 puts us onto the final approach to 2012. Turn on your radar, buckle up, chuck the ginger ale, and drop your landing gear: the Age of Technology is approaching the runway. The year 2012 has been tossed around as something special since Jose Arguelles created the Harmonic Convergence in 1987. With that event, he called attention to the Mayan Long Count, a calendar of approximately 1.87 million days used by the Maya in what is now Mexico and Guatemala. Something called the 13th baktun ends on December 21, 2012, concluding a 5,125-year cycle. Notably, this cycle predates the Maya, themselves, whose mathematicians dealt in very long spans of time extending before and after their own existence. More recently, author John Major Jenkins proposed an astronomical theory for why the Mayans chose our particular era for the cycle to end. He suggests that it involves the alignment of the position of the winter solstice Sun with the dark band that runs through the center of the Milky Way galaxy (called the Road to Xibalba). Due to the precession effect (that is, the very slow wobble of the Earth on its axis), the winter solstice point gets a little earlier every year (advancing a bit more than a degree per century). The same is true for the first day of all the seasons. The precession effect is usually used to measure the astrological/astronomical age. We are familiar with the concept from the Age of Aquarius theme, wherein the Aries Point (the first degree of the Western zodiac or the first day of spring), is moving into the constellation Aquarius. Jenkins asks a very good question. Maybe it’s not the constellation that the Aries Point is in that’s the true marker of our cosmic alignment, as we usually think. Maybe it’s the point 90 degrees away, where Capricorn begins. Maybe that’s where we need to be looking for information about an accurate calculation of the cosmic epoch. Most Planet Waves readers are familiar with the Aries Point and its astonishing connections between personal and global events. Jenkins proposes that we have one of the cardinal points (the first degrees of the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) aligning with something tangible: the dark band running through the Galactic Core. Notably, it is the last of the four points, involving Capricorn—the sign of corporations, government, and the structure of society. All of the 2012 theories, whether friendly, cataclysmic or both (most are not so friendly, by the way), involve changes to the structure of society, whatever else they may touch upon. This is a cool theory. It helps explain why the Aries Point (which is shorthand for all four of the cardinal points or the four directions) is so hot these days. It actually (in his theory) involves the Capricorn Point aligning with this dark band in the center of the galaxy, which then brings in the Aries Point. When events focus on the Aries Point, we get an idea of why it’s so dependably connected to events that ripple through the lives of millions, and which we tend to feel so personally (an example of an Aries Point event was September 11, 2001). Jenkins’s theory provides a comprehensible link between Western and Mayan astrology, something that has been lacking throughout this whole discussion. Some astrologers have looked at that 2012 chart and claimed it contains nothing special; hence, 2012 cannot be that important. (Just because someone does not understand a chart does not mean it does not have meaningful information.) Enter: Pluto in Capricorn What has not been discussed so widely are outer planet movements leading up to that date. The first of them—and perhaps the most significant—is Pluto entering Capricorn, a process that begins in about two weeks. That is another way of saying that Pluto is aligning with the position of the winter solstice Sun; that is the first degree of Capricorn. This places it on one of the cardinal points, as well as in aspect to the other three. Obviously, Pluto in Capricorn is going to have a profound effect on the structure of society: on all Capricorn institutions, from corporations to the government to the banking system. True, this will affect individuals, but individuals tend to learn faster than groups and companies. We will all go through a series of individual initiations, but the key to some form of success here will be awareness about group initiation. There are some companies, institutions, and governments that will do very well—the ones that can loosen up their structures, both physical and ideological, and flex with the changes. These will surprise you—when you hear the story of something that seemed stuffy and old suddenly becoming a progressive leader of some kind. Indeed, Pluto in Capricorn is all about leadership. It is about building and acting on the vision that has been developing during the years of Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-present). Pluto’s ingress to Capricorn is attended by some interesting Mars transits. At the time of the ingress in late January, Mars is in a loose (but significant) opposition—in the process of making three exact ones. The third contact is March 7. So we get Mars and Pluto working the solstice points (from Cancer and Capricorn), which feels a little like flint on a piece of iron. Then, shortly after Pluto ingresses Capricorn to stay (no more retrogrades into Sagittarius), Mars makes an exact conjunction to Pluto around the winter 2008 solstice. So we get a lot of personal fire (of Mars) added to the cosmic and hormonal fire (of Pluto) aspecting the 2012 region of the sky. Lunar Nodes in the Middle Fixed Signs The Aries Point usually involves the cardinal signs. But something called Uranian astrology says that 135 degrees away from the cardinal points, we have the middle of the fixed signs. This is the sesquiquadrate aspect, which is described as a trigger aspect. A 45-degree aspect works in a similar way. The lunar nodes are now working their way backwards through Leo and Aquarius. The annular eclipse on February 7, 2008, falls right in the middle of Aquarius, setting off the Aries Point from 45 degrees away in Aquarius. Saturn in Libra 2009-12 Here is an exciting one. Saturn has just entered Virgo, so we’re not quite ready to be thinking about Saturn arriving in Libra—but it’s not so far away. Saturn arrives there for the first time on Oct. 29, 2009; that is, late next year. A planet entering one of the cardinal signs puts it into direct contact with the Aries Point and the Capricorn solstice point—in this case, directly opposite. Pluto is still in very early Capricorn at that point, which means we have a Saturn-Pluto square aspecting the Aries Point and the Cap solstice point. This will be positively thrilling, all the more so because Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn and has extraordinary power in Libra (it is said to be “exalted” in this sign). This is a turning point, one that will call attention to the overall theme of the Pluto in Capricorn era. It is a kind of catch-up point. The Saturn-Pluto trine (involving the earthy signs) does not necessarily mean that the two energies are not going to combine in some volatile or provocative ways—trines can be incredibly influential. But the Saturn-Pluto square is a dimension shift, one that will emphasize a major shift in structure of some kind. What we generally fail to recognize when we look at changes in society is that society is all about the relationships that people have with one another. We are good at pretending that our relationships with our coworkers has nothing to do with the relationships between companies or nations, but these things are holographic models of one another. With Saturn in Libra involved, we need to consider how the structure of our personal relationships relates to Capricorn—the structure of society. Marriage, for example, is primarily an economic structure, based in law, not emotions. Saturn in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn is—among other things—about feeling the connection between our relationships and the structure of society. The Changes of 2010 In 2010, there are three changes that mark a watershed. The first is that Saturn continues its ingress to Libra, retrograding back to Virgo and then making a final ingress in July. This means that the Saturn-Pluto square unfolds throughout this year. Second, Chiron ingresses Pisces. The last time Chiron ingressed Pisces was on the day past the inauguration of John F. Kennedy, commencing the `60s. Chiron will have spent about six years in Aquarius, a very different energy. Chiron, a potent focus of awareness, will be shifting from the most airy air sign to the most watery water sign—a difference we will be able to feel. Then for the most interesting change of the year, Uranus begins its ingress to Aries, going right over the Aries Point. Uranus is the planet of revolution, invention, disruption, and forward-thinking. Contact with the Aries Point strongly implies some kind of cultural revolution. In other words, the natives will be getting restless. The Uranus-Pluto Square of 2012-15 All of this is just a warm up, believe it or not. The grand finale is the Uranus-Pluto square of 2012-15. That is to say, Pluto will be in early Capricorn and Uranus will be in early Aries. That is a 90-degree relationship, and by mid-2012, it is exact. Most meetings between the outer planets make three exact contacts over about nine months. Somewhat incredibly, the Uranus-Pluto square beginning in 2012 makes seven exact contacts through 2015—something that I have never seen or heard of before with any outer-planet aspect. In other words, the two planets will remain in exact square for three years. Based on his story of the history of the Western world, Richard Tarnas in his book, Cosmos and Psyche, has demonstrated that quadrature alignments of Uranus and Pluto—the conjunction, squares and opposition—are times of social upheaval, progress, and even revolution. This is indeed one of the most predictable combinations of planets, and one of the most powerfully focused on actual progress. The `60s, a time of artistic, social, and economic process, is perhaps the best and fortunately most memorable expressions of this aspect. Though there was more to the `60s than this, the alchemy of that time was typical of what happens nearly every time these two planets align. Based on the historical data he presents in his book, Tarnas gives this aspect a window of action that begins this year. So it is part of that final approach to 2012. Yet based on this highly unusual event of Uranus square Pluto, 2012 itself seems to be a beginning rather than an ending—a time when we will finally see something vaguely equivalent of power to the people. The only problem is, the people are going to have a reason to revolt. The years immediately ahead of us do not appear to be a time of equity and harmony, but rather a time of corporations and governments consolidating their power, even as they collapse under their own weight. http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2008/2/Horoscopes/The-Sprint-to-2012?page=1 |
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Apocalypse
2012? Some say ancient records
foretell end of the world By CHLOE JOHNSON Staff Writer Could
the end of the world be just four years away?
A subculture has formed around the possibility, saying several prophecies predict some sort of apocalypse in or around 2012. It has been discussed online, analyzed in several new books and covered in the media. The date of doomsday, based on the Mayan calendar, has been set as Dec. 12, 2012. If the calendar began on Aug. 11, 3114 B.C., as many researchers contend, then its "long cycle" would end on that day. The ancient Mayan civilization thrived between roughly 1800 BC and 1450 AD in Central and South America where the ruins remain of the cities they built, including monumental pyramids. They are recognized for their knowledge of astronomy and precise calendars. The Mayans had different calendars, which were used in combination. The typical annual calendar was 260 days, synchronized with a 365-day calendar. Another calendar known as the Long Count was developed to mark longer periods of time, running for the equivalent of 5,125 years. The Mayan calendar isn't in widespread use outside of Guatemala, though others are interested in revitalizing it, said Keith Prufer, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico. He said the end of the calendar's long cycle does not imply an apocalypse, but rather an anniversary similar to the millennium, though for a period of more than 5,000 years. "It's not the end of the world," he said. That hasn't stopped people from making both ominous and positive connections between the restart of the Mayan calendar and other phenomena predicted to happen around the same time. For instance, the winter solstice is on Dec. 21, and in the year 2012, a solar maximum also is expected to occur. At maximum, the Sun can have many sunspots and many more large flares and solar storms, said Karen Masters, a postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. These events release charged particles from the surface of the Sun, which travel out into space. Those that hit the Earth can cause disruption to power grids, damage satellites and other electronics, she said. "So solar maximum can be inconvenient — but I don't think it's going to end the world," she said. "The date matching the Mayan 'end of the world' prediction is just a coincidence — after all, lots of things are going to happen in 2012." 
There is an 11-year cycle between the current solar minimum and the solar maximum NASA predicts will come in 2011 or 2012. Some people are also anticipating a reversal of the magnetic poles soon. But there are at least hundreds of thousands of years between reversals, and scientists are not sure when it will happen again. However, signs of a reversal have been observed for several years, including the magnetic field weakening, NASA has reported. If the trend continues, the magnetic field could collapse then reverse. The magnetic field protects the planet from some cosmic radiation, which has the potential to knock out power grids and scramble communications systems. The gradual process of a reversal would alter the direction compasses point, but most modern navigation equipment does not rely on the poles. However, some animal migration patterns might. Other debatable 2012 prophecies include: -The nuclear World War III predicted by Nostradamus, a physician in 1500s France noted for his future predictions -A global peak in energy production, which would disrupt industrialized civilization as outlined in the Olduvai theory. -Technological creation of smarter-than-human intelligence, making computers the source of invention in a theory known as the Singularity Interest in the 2012 date has spread from the New Age movement to the mainstream, according to Michael Barkun, a political science professor at Syracuse University who has written books on millennial and apocalyptic topics. The date has captured the attention of people just as the millennium or Y2K did, but the year 2000 came and went without disorder, he said. The fascination, he said, could be the "desire to believe time and history have some sort of order and plan, and events are not random." As such, he said, the date is not chosen at random, but for some reason. "Those who advocate it don't advocate it on some kind of notion of blind faith," he said. The belief that the world is going to end could have negative consequences if many people begin to hold it and make life changes based on it, he said. It's difficult to determine how many people believe, but there don't appear to be any organized groups built around the belief that the world will end in 2012, he said. David Frankfurter, professor of religious studies and history at the University of New Hampshire, said people only tend to get involved in such group activity if they're already feeling separate from the rest of society and have a leader who they believe has access to other-worldly knowledge. Also, he said, such groups tend to have an idea of how they'll live through an apocalypse. He said it is "manifestly preposterous" that the world will end in four years. The idea that the dates of all apocalyptic writing would agree is virtually impossible since many cultures have different concepts of time, said Frankfurter, who this year is a fellow with the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. There are many ambiguous writings which can be read in different ways, including those of Nostradamus and the Bible's book of Revelations, he said. "None of them actually say the world is going to end," he said. Even if an ancient text did predict the end of time, he added, there is no evidence there were authorities on the subject with any more access to such knowledge than people have now. Apocalyptic literature was written when people were looking for ways to understand God's plan, he said. They were widely read because people believed true revelations came from God to the writer. (source: www.citizen.com) |
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Unconventional
discoveries and theories help us
prepare for an uncertain future By Steve Hammons There are many interesting theories and claims out there today about all kinds of unusual situations. Many of them are discussed in books, articles, on TV, in movies and in online Web sites. Although many of these ideas seem far-fetched, it might be helpful to keep an open mind and be prepared for various possibilities. In some cases, aspects of stories about interesting situations may intersect and overlap. Common threads can be found. Some scenarios are more familiar than others and some may appear to be a bit more reasonable or possible than others. Some may be partially true or have some element of truth in them. These include, but are not limited to: UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation, historical and current Extrasensory perception (ESP), "remote viewing" or "anomalous cognition" and other discoveries about human consciousness Forgotten ancient histories of human civilization and lost human cultures Past and future global disasters such as floods, massive shifts of Earth´s crust, meteor and other activity affecting Earth and/or our solar system Advanced scientific understanding and technology acquired and/or developed that is not known to the public at this time such as advanced spacecraft, teleportation, time travel and alternative energy sources In scratching the surface of some of this research and discussion, we can look a bit deeper at general overviews about these and related topics. UFOs, ET VISITATION There appear to be many significant indicators that something is going on in this area. The basic information is quite public – that people have seen unusual flying objects, these objects appear to be under intelligent control and have been involved in many situations interacting with humans on the ground. Are they intelligent life forms from other planets, other dimensions and/or other times? Are they friendly, hostile or neutral observers? Have they established some level of communication and cooperation with Earth humans? And, if so, what is the nature of this communication and cooperation? Some researchers claim that there are answers available to these and other questions, and that unknowns also remain. However, it may be a complex situation and the general public might need to be educated about it slowly and safely. ESP AND HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS Discussions about these topics have been fairly open in many ways. When it was revealed that the U.S. military and intelligence communities were using "remote viewing" for intelligence purposes, some people laughed. But, much research and verification had gone into these activities and they were apparently very valid. There is now significant evidence that ESP, remote viewing and what is called "anomalous cognition" are real and natural abilities of humans. They are similar to prayer, hunches, instincts and gut feelings. We can get information and understanding from within our own consciousness that is accurate and useful. Animals may also have this natural "sixth sense." Explanations for the validity of these phenomena can be looked at from the angles of quantum physics, nature, psychology and spiritual understanding. Maybe we can move through time and space in ways we didn´t realize. Taken as a whole, the research seems to indicate a new way to look at human potential. LOST HUMAN CIVILIZATIONS Atlantis, ancient Egypt and many other stories of alternative human history can be found and explored. Do our current history books portray all of human history on Earth accurately? Or, are there missing pieces? Is there a history long before what we currently consider the origins of civilization and advancing technology? Many people have presented interesting ideas based on reasonable research regarding possibilities of mysteries and secrets about the ancient human history that we do not yet fully understand. Where did we come from? Did we simply evolve randomly? Were there relatively advanced civilizations in the ancient past that were wiped out by catastrophes? It could be that we humans are not who we think we are and our knowledge of human history on Earth is incomplete. GLOBAL CATASTROPHES We know of the history of the "great flood" from Noah´s time. Other cultures have records that indicate a major flood in the same time frame. There are stories of devastating ancient earthquakes and volcano eruptions. And, we accept the theory that a meteor hit wiped out the dinosaurs. And then there are the theories of massive and sudden shifts of the Earth´s outer crust in a kind of mega-earthquake. Views on this idea include hypotheses that this has happened periodically throughout Earth history. Some have called it a crustal "pole shift" where the outer crust slips or shifts relatively suddenly. The former ice-covered poles are moved to warmer latitudes. Temperate areas are suddenly frozen over as they are shifted to the pole positions.be a complex situation and the general public might need to be educated about it slowly and safely. ESP AND HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS Discussions about these topics have been fairly open in many ways. When it was revealed that the U.S. military and intelligence communities were using "remote viewing" for intelligence purposes, some people laughed. But, much research and verification had gone into these activities and they were apparently very valid. There is now significant evidence that ESP, remote viewing and what is called "anomalous cognition" are real and natural abilities of humans. They are similar to prayer, hunches, instincts and gut feelings. We can get information and understanding from within our own consciousness that is accurate and useful. Animals may also have this natural "sixth sense." Explanations for the validity of these phenomena can be looked at from the angles of quantum physics, nature, psychology and spiritual understanding. Maybe we can move through time and space in ways we didn´t realize. Taken as a whole, the research seems to indicate a new way to look at human potential. LOST HUMAN CIVILIZATIONS Atlantis, ancient Egypt and many other stories of alternative human history can be found and explored. Do our current history books portray all of human history on Earth accurately? Or, are there missing pieces? Is there a history long before what we currently consider the origins of civilization and advancing technology? Many people have presented interesting ideas based on reasonable research regarding possibilities of mysteries and secrets about the ancient human history that we do not yet fully understand. Where did we come from? Did we simply evolve randomly? Were there relatively advanced civilizations in the ancient past that were wiped out by catastrophes? It could be that we humans are not who we think we are and our knowledge of human history on Earth is incomplete. GLOBAL CATASTROPHES We know of the history of the "great flood" from Noah´s time. Other cultures have records that indicate a major flood in the same time frame. There are stories of devastating ancient earthquakes and volcano eruptions. And, we accept the theory that a meteor hit wiped out the dinosaurs. And then there are the theories of massive and sudden shifts of the Earth´s outer crust in a kind of mega-earthquake. Views on this idea include hypotheses that this has happened periodically throughout Earth history. Some have called it a crustal "pole shift" where the outer crust slips or shifts relatively suddenly. The former ice-covered poles are moved to warmer latitudes. Temperate areas are suddenly frozen over as they are shifted to the pole positions. What might cause this? Some researchers speculate that it is a natural occurrence every so many thousands of years because the Earth gradually tilts on its axis more and more over the decades and centuries. Others say that a "Planet X," a hidden "dark star" or "brown dwarf" star, is in an unusual orbit that intersects our solar system every 3,500 years or so. When it comes close, it creates significant gravitational and other disastrous influences on our solar system and Earth. Some recent speculation includes the claim that it is known by some scientists and Earth governmental officials that this object is heading toward Earth in the time frame of 2012 and may create global devastation and disaster. As a result, underground shelters or "arks" are being created around the world to save a small percentage of the human race who can rebuild civilization after the catastrophe. ADVANCES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY As the old saying goes, U.S. advanced military-related technology is always many decades ahead of where the general public thinks it is. This may be an understatement. What if, in our current perspectives, technology and science is actually centuries ahead of where we think it is? What if teleportation is currently being used? Recent stories of "jump gate" technologies and "jump rooms" refer to methods to "beam me up, Scotty." These are often referred to as "star gates" or "worm holes." They might exist naturally in certain places and it might be possible to create technology to accomplish this. A recent research paper funded by the U.S. Air Force found that teleportation is scientifically viable, based on just our own human understanding of physics, not considering that we might get advanced knowledge and technology from other sources ahead of us in these areas. Time travel has been a common theme in thought, literature, film and TV. Like the ideas of star gates and teleportation, time travel may be possible. Perhaps it is going on now. Physicists say time and space are not exactly what we usually think they are. And, are the international space station, space shuttles and known satellites really our most advanced space technologies? Of course, there must be space resources that are classified and unknown to us. How advanced are they? Rumors of a secret U.S. and/or international space fleet are certainly interesting. Is there any truth to them? And, importantly, are there advanced energy technologies that are available now, yet not widely deployed to benefit all people? QUEST CONTINUES As the human race keeps moving forward, we continue to try to tackle these kinds of questions along with the current challenges of war and peace, hunger, disease, poverty, injustice, suffering, deterioration of our natural resources, climate change and other evolving and emerging threats. At the heart of many of our efforts are the roots of human thought and belief. We use various approaches and in various combinations. Science or religion. Logic or faith. We often face these kinds of dual ways of looking at things during discussions of current events and personal perception. Sometimes it seems that these split viewpoints, dualities or polarities can prevent us from seeing the whole picture. Let´s go back to the example of ESP and anomalous cognition. These phenomena, as noted, are the basis of what the U.S. military and intelligence communities referred to as remote viewing during the research and operational implementation of special ESP activities in the 1970s, ´80s, ´90s and probably up to the present. This interesting research was conducted using scientific methods. Yet, there was certainly a spiritual element that could not be ignored. If there is a deep source within us that allows us to obtain information and understanding, is that source not part of some larger intelligence? Do our U.S. intelligence activities sometimes merge with a greater divine intelligence? Let´s take another example that is an issue of hot debate among certain people in our society: evolution versus creationism. On one side is the idea that all living creatures evolved in ways determined by environmental pressures, random chance and perhaps other factors. The other side says living things have developed through a plan or design by a higher intelligence. People who might be able to see another angle to this debate might wonder if it is possible that a higher intelligence created evolution. Yet another thing to think about is somewhat related to both of the previous examples cited: random chance versus events and coincidences with meaning or "synchronicity." Synchronicity is the idea that some apparent coincidences actually have meaning and connections. What the connections are and what they mean can be unclear. But the idea of synchronicity includes the belief that all events are not random. Are events and situations that seem to involve synchronicity planned events? Or, are they just connected through some kind of time-space elements we don´t always fully understand? These
same kinds of
perspectives can be used when we examine and explore the many theories,
accounts and rumors about unconventional discoveres, knowledge and
situations.
Looking at these interesting ideas with open minds, strong hearts, feet on the ground and with the knowledge that being prepared and vigilant are always good ideas, we may be better able to face the future and survive and thrive in it. (source: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/48123) |