The Secret, 2012, and Heaven's Gate (UPDATED)

A while ago, I saw the "The Secret" DVD with a friend. My impression was that it was ridiculous on it's face. Where can I begin? How 'bout the hokey 'scientists' lending an air of credibility to pseudo-physics? Or maybe the incessant mantra of self-help speak mouthed by the participants? Best of all, if you were masochistic enough to sit till the end, came the requisite selling of cheap merchandise! A few months later, someone in our coven wanted to have a group "Secret" viewing. I noticed that at least one other group near me had a similar get-together.

I wish people in our community would do a better job calling out bullshit when they see it. You don't have to be mean about it, or try to make people feel small or stupid. But we can't ignore the tragic deaths that just occurred in a poorly constructed 'sweat lodge', sponsored by the charlatans behind the "The Secret". (For those wishing to read more about this, Jason at Wild Hunt is doing an excellent job covering the story, here and in his "Pagan News of Note, here.)

Does anyone remember "Heaven's Gate" and that cult's sick fascination with the arrival of comet Hale-Bopp? (If you want to read my rants on the subject, I blogged about it here). As bad at it is, at the point I'm writing this, only two people have died. But it could have been much worse.

The latest bunch of hooey to wash by the gutter is this "Mayan 2012" calendar stuff. It reminds me of the End-of-Days stuff spouted by Dominionist Xtians. I'm old enough to remember the "Jupiter Effect" nonsense from the 1970's. All sorts of calamities were suppose to ensue due to a rare planetary alignment. The fact that astronomers told us this alignment was indeed not going to happen, and even if it did would have virtually no effect on us, did little to stem the sale of "Jupiter Effect" books.

The people behind such things as "The Secret" and "2012" are parasites trying to make a buck off the gullible and weak. It wouldn't be so bad if it was only money at stake. But people getting involved in such things can be lead terribly--and sometimes tragically-- astray.

(UPDATE: A third person had died. The sheriff's dept, is treating the incident as a homicide. Details here.)

Green Comet

Green Comet Approaches Earth

It would be great if this comet becomes visible to the naked eye. But even if it does not grow into something special (that catches the traditional media's attention), it probably will be amazing to behold in a small telescope or binoculars:

...The comet makes its closest approach to Earth (0.41 AU) on Feb. 24, 2009. Current estimates peg the maximum brightness at 4th or 5th magnitude, which means dark country skies would be required to see it. No one can say for sure, however, because this appears to be Lulin's first visit to the inner solar system and its first exposure to intense sunlight. Surprises are possible.

Comet Holmes, now biggest object in solar system!

Comet Holmes now bigger than the the sun!

From astronomer David Jewett's page:

...Formerly, the Sun was the largest object in the Solar System. Now, comet 17P/Holmes holds that distinction...Spectacular outbursting comet 17P/Holmes exploded in size and brightness on October 24. It continues to expand and is now the largest single object in the Solar system, being bigger than the Sun (see Figure). The diameter of the tenuous dust atmosphere of the comet was measured at 1.4 million kilometers...

The "Goblin" comet could almost gobble up the sun!

(photo, Sebastian Voltmer, Spichern, France.)

Tail Breaks off Comet Holmes

It's been cloudy here the last day, so I've missed this turn of events. But the Goblin Comet is sure putting on a light show! To the unaided eye, it still looks like a blurry star. Yet just about any optical aid, such as a pair of binoculars or small telescope, will really much greater detail. From SpaceWeather.com:

...COMET TAIL: Exploding Comet 17P/Holmes continues to amaze onlookers. On Nov. 8th and 9th part of the comet's blue tail broke away in view of many backyard telescopes. Visit http://spaceweather.com to see photos of the "disconnection event" and speculation about what might have caused it...

Real Hogwarts to open

Wiccan lottery winner plans to open witch school

Bunky is keeping his promise to the Lady and Lord! You know it's a good Sabbat when we have a comet in the sky and someone figures how to piss-off the Xtain Right even more:

...Wiccan high priest Elwood "Bunky" Bartlett, who won an estimated $49 million in the Maryland lottery last month, intends to use his money to set up a school for witches -- a real-life Hogwarts...Bartlett has already contributed to a Special Olympics event, to Mystickal Voyage, a New Age shop where he currently teaches, and to a Stonehenge preservation group in England...

Goblin Comet for Samhain

We have a naked-eye visible comet gracing our skies for Samhain! Some have dubbed it the 'Goblin Comet'. Last night, the comet was an easy target through binoculars, and looked spectacular in my Astroscan. It's easy to spot in the constellation Perseus (in the early evening, this is in the North Eastern sky):

From SpaceWeather.com:

...Last week, Comet 17P/Holmes shocked sky watchers around the world with a sudden million-fold increase in brightness. It literally exploded into view, rapidly becoming a naked eye "star" in the constellation Perseus. Since then the comet has expanded dramatically. It is now physically larger than the planet Jupiter and subtends an angle in the night sky similar to the Moon's Sea of Tranquility, the right eye of the "Man in the Moon." Photographers, this amazing comet is an excellent target for off-the-shelf digital cameras and backyard telescopes. It grows visibly from night to night and no one knows how large it will become...

See SpaceWeather.com for skymaps and all the latest info.

Sad news: Astronomer David Levy suffers a stroke

Astronomer David Levy had a stroke last week. MSM coverage has been spotty. Here's a link to a msg.

He is the co-discoverer of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, the comet that slammed into Jupiter. Along with the late Eugene Shoemaker, Levy compelled a "heads up!" re-evaluation of the importance of comets, asteroids, and meteors. We owe a debt of gratitude to these two men. Let's all wish Levy a speedy recovery.

We are graced with a Comet

Comet McNaught
Comet McNaught is plunging towards the Sun and brightening dramatically. It has attained naked-eye visibility--you don't need a telescope to see it. However, if you have a pair of binoculars, they will sure pump-up the view. This sun-grazing comet can be seen near the horizon at sunrise or sunset. Check the link above for maps and more information.

A word of caution: always be extremely careful aiming any optical instrument (binocs, telescope, or even your eyes) too close to the sun. You could damage your eyes even before the blink reflex can save you.

Now, get out and observe!