Is our solar system in danger from the galactic rift?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential dangers posed to our solar system by a galactic rift, as suggested by a paper claiming that the solar system travels through such a rift every 26,000 years. Participants explore the implications of this claim and express skepticism regarding its validity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a paper discussing a galactic rift and expresses concern about potential life-changing events due to this phenomenon.
  • Another participant questions the validity of the claims made in the referenced paper, stating that the Earth is not near the Galactic center.
  • A participant mentions that the claims are linked to the 2012 doomsday prophecy, indicating a belief in a significant event occurring at that time.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the credibility of the claims and the prevalence of pseudoscience surrounding the topic.
  • A participant shares a link to a resource that debunks some of the claims related to the galactic rift and the 2012 prophecy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the validity of the claims about the galactic rift and its implications for the solar system. There is no consensus on the accuracy of the information presented in the original paper or the interpretations derived from it.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of understanding in astronomy, which influences their ability to counter claims effectively. There are references to pseudoscience and the need for critical evaluation of sources.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the intersection of astronomy and popular science claims, particularly regarding the implications of galactic phenomena on Earth.

mattbatson
so, supposedly this paper here...
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1994ApJ...421..505U

is about a part of our galaxy that our solar system is now traveling through, and supposedly only does so every 26k yrs?
At least this is what this guy is claiming...
And he is saying this...""it is an arm of the black hole in the center of the galaxy and though we pass by a rift every 5,200 years we only go THROUGH one once in 26,000. There were several other such published papers but this one was the easiest for my lay-brain to decypher. Think of the rift as full of flotsam and jetsom captured by the black hole's gravity, too far to be sucked in but not far enough out to get away, our solar system, not just the earth, is moving through this cluttered rockin' & rollin' passage. Just a 'speed'bump would be enough make all our nightmares(or dreams) come true""

what he is trying to conclude from this paper is that we might have a life changing event due to all of this.

My question is...I have a sneaky suspicion that this guy is full of it, but am having a hard time explaining exactly WHY I think that, lol.

I'm wondering if I should ask this here? Or in astronomy?

thx
 
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mattbatson said:
so, supposedly this paper here...
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1994ApJ...421..505U

is about a part of our galaxy that our solar system is now traveling through, and supposedly only does so every 26k yrs?
At least this is what this guy is claiming...
And he is saying this...""it is an arm of the black hole in the center of the galaxy and though we pass by a rift every 5,200 years we only go THROUGH one once in 26,000. There were several other such published papers but this one was the easiest for my lay-brain to decypher. Think of the rift as full of flotsam and jetsom captured by the black hole's gravity, too far to be sucked in but not far enough out to get away, our solar system, not just the earth, is moving through this cluttered rockin' & rollin' passage. Just a 'speed'bump would be enough make all our nightmares(or dreams) come true""

what he is trying to conclude from this paper is that we might have a life changing event due to all of this.

My question is...I have a sneaky suspicion that this guy is full of it, but am having a hard time explaining exactly WHY I think that, lol.

I'm wondering if I should ask this here? Or in astronomy?

thx

This paper
AFGL 5376: A strong, large-scale shock near the Galactic center
has nothing at all in common with what you claim. The Earth is nowhere near the Galactic center.
 
russ_watters said:
Who are you quoting?

hey, a person from another forum.

He believes that we will be near this center on 12/21/12 and that this is part of the 2012 doomsday prophecy.

I just didnt know enough about astronomy to counter his arguement, so came here looking for some answers

thx
 
ImaLooser said:
This paper
AFGL 5376: A strong, large-scale shock near the Galactic center
has nothing at all in common with what you claim. The Earth is nowhere near the Galactic center.

thank you sir,

I also did some research and found this link
http://www.2012hoax.org/dark-rift

a good read, and debunks much of what these guys are spouting,

there is so much damn pseudo science out there trying to prove one thing or another...
 
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