Understanding the Galactic Alignment
The Relation of the Solar System to the Galaxy
Examine this collage of superimposed photos to get the idea of the relationship between the galaxy and the solar system.
This artist rendition shows how the solar system is oriented to the galactic plane. Though this is not entirely accurate, it does make the important point of orientation.
Our galaxy is considered to be a barred spiral. This derives from the fact that the center harbors more than one super massive black hole in a complex orbital dance. This complex motion does have an impact on earth and is the subject of another hub.
Our own solar system is complex in the extreme, so it is not an easy task to define the exact equator unless we take the sun as the definition of that plane.
Does the Galactic Alignment have any Real Influence on Humanity?
There is a lot of talk and print on the so-called galactic alignment and how this is impacting on earth and in particular, our civilization. One thing is certain, there is a lot of press and movie themes on the question of what it means concerning possible apocalypse scenarios. Today, with our focus on the 2012 question, galactic alignment has come to the fore. Some of it is derived from Mayan cosmology, some from Christian lore and a lot of it on pure speculation. To understand what this alignment is physically, we need an overview of the solar system as a whole in relation to the galactic disk as a whole and the changing relationships of both through time.
If we visualize the galactic equator as a plane and the solar system mean ecliptic as another plane, this will serve as our jump off point. Now the two planes are not parallel, nor are they perpendicular. In fact, the two planes are set at an angle of about 55 degrees from parallel. To get a clearer picture, consider the Uranus system in our own solar system. In this case, the equatorial plane is set at 98 degrees to the equatorial plane of the solar system. Thus, during parts of the Uranian system's year, the poles or Uranus point almost directly toward the sun. At other times, the whole system appears edge on with respect to the sun, with the line of the Uranian equatorial plane set 8 degrees from the perpendicular in relation to the solar system equatorial plane. The entire solar system seen as a disk is set at 55 degrees from the perpendicular to the galactic equatorial plane.
Now that we have this view, what does the alignment mean in this case? It means that if we sight along the solar system equatorial plane toward the galactic center, there is a line up with that equatorial plane to the center of the galaxy. The intersection of the two planes thus form a point that lines up with the galactic center. From the viewpoint of the earth during this epoch, the sun is superimposed upon this very point giving the appearance of a conjunction with the galactic center. This superposition occurs in this epoch of 2010-2012 at the time of our northern hemisphere winter solstice.
So why do some people hold this particular conjunction in such high regard. For one thing, it is extremely rare. For the vantage point of the earth's northern hemisphere, it occurs only in a time slot of several years once every 25,800 years, plus or minus a century. There is also the half cycle where the same alignment will occur for the southern hemisphere at 12,900 years plus or minus 50 years during that winter solstice. It takes this long due to the precession of the equinoxes that moves about one degree in approximately every 72 years. At these times, the sun will appear lined up to the galactic center. The plane fact is that while we are in this part of the orbit around the galaxy, the line up will occur is some part of the year.
An Astronomers View of the Galactic Alignment
Now the whole solar system is orbiting as a unit around the galaxy along with all the other stars and dust. This orbital journey is estimated to take around a quarter billion years. And in reference to the planar picture shown, the movement is from right to left. Due to something called gyroscopic stability, the whole plane of the solar system will slowly drift out of alignment to the galactic center, but keeping it's 55 degree slant.
Now that we have the picture clear in our mind, why is it considered so important in some minds? Some of this comes from the Mayan mindset that considered the galactic center between our constellation markers of Scorpio and Sagittarius, called as we understand, the “Dark Rift” of “Great Rift”. To the Maya, this is the opposite point to the “Heart of Sky” located between Gemini and Taurus in the projecting part of Orion into the zodiac. It is safe to say that Gemini, the twins in our cosmogony is equivalent to their “Hero Twins”. The Hero Twins in this mythical account are the good guys. The abode of demons is located at the center of the galaxy and these two warred against one another after the second creation event with the victory going to the Hero Twins in the celestial ball game.
In contemporary understanding, the center of the galaxy harbors a super massive black hole that is inimical to all matters of things living. To the earth and its inhabitants, falling into this black hole would be about the worst case scenario possible. It would literally mean the end of creation. But this not going to happen soon due to the orbital dynamics of the whole galaxy. But the black hole's grip on everything in orbit around it does not end its influence there. When matter falls into the event horizon, prodigious amounts or gamma radiation and anti-matter are produced that can have far reaching effects, including on earth.
For others, this alignment means the emergence of global group consciousness. We wonder if there is any truth in this at all outside of a small community of people who consider such questions. For the rest of us, it is business of usual, dealing with economics, work and day to day life in the face of wars, poverty, corruption and the stubborn resistance to change despite the need to do so. Consider that there are a host of groups vying for attention during this moment of grand galactic alignment. The list is virtually endless from traditional religions, to the modern day saucer cults, technocrats, green promotion and a long, long list of others in a wide spectrum of many sects.
The Heart of the Galaxy; not the Heart of Sky
Elsewhere the proof exists that the Mayan celestially auspicious moment of the transition from the forth to the fifth sun occurred during the last galactic alignment of the sun-earth-moon during the winter solstice lunar eclipse of 2010. If we take a look at the moment in the context of historical unfolding, we found that not only was there this alignment, there was also a grand cross of outer planets, also exceptionally rare. During that year, many countries experienced turmoil not seen for a long time. France was in the grip of dual power for a couple of months. Greece was paralyzed by strikes. In Germany, the citizens stopped a nuclear waste train cold in its tracks and forced the police to surrender. Russia experienced massive wild fires that torched regions of nuclear waste disposal and lofted toxins into the atmosphere. Pakistan had the worst floods they have ever experienced, driving millions into starving homelessness as the crops washed into the sea. The world continued its slide into economic depression with liberal doses of austerity and movements against it. The only economies that grew were China and India, but at what cost? For India, it was Maoist insurgency and for China, choking pollution. Korea brought us all to the verge of Mutually Assured Destruction. The US and Iran jousted in war provocations. Geomagenetic reversal confused birds and airline pilots. 2011 started with a bang! Australia had “Biblical scale floods” after a couple decades of drought and wild fires. Krakatoa exploded with the most force since 1883. Birds and fish died in masses and suddenly in large numbers. The year is still very young. All in all, one might ask, “How is any of this auspicious?”
From appearances, it appears that modern civilization is on the road to ruin on multiple and simultaneous fronts, but primarily on economics and the abuse of wealth. Will anything succeed this world view in apparent demise? The answer is yes! What that is remains to be seen. In the mean time, with events unfolding the way they are, we had better fasten our seat belts. We're in for a rocking and bumpy ride! The greatest shock is just ahead by the rumblings going on all around us on all fronts. This is definitely not a time for business as usual, but a time to massively shift our paradigm. This occurs at a time of the galactic alignment, hence the view that world events and this are connected. We must take this with utmost caution for reasons that are multiple and complex and subjects of other dissertations. The fact of the matter is that civilizations have come and gone throughout history for many reasons outside of the galactic alignment during the solstice. Every conceivable disaster has also befallen the world and we are still hear muddling through.
The galactic alignment is interesting, just as any other celestial event, but it does not spell the end of the world. The end of our civilization may well be imminent, but that is our fault and not that of the cosmos. In the end we have ourselves to blame for our wrong choices and unwillingness to change with the changing environment.
The Galactic Alignment; Another View
Ideas about the Galactic Alignment
Comments
William J. Prest (author) from Vancouver, Canada on February 04, 2011:
At the very center of the earth is a mass of molten uranium that is in a perpetual state of meltdown and is hotter than the surface of the sun. This run away core heats all the overlaying surfaces, causes surface changes, geomagnetism, volcanism and earthquakes. Recently there was a change in the core and this is having huge ramifications for everything else on the earth.
This however, has nothing to do with the galactic alignment. We could say that it is serendipitous, but one does not cause the other and visa versa.
Vedshehu on February 03, 2011:
The earth’s core a cosmic active object with silicate cover
The essence of the theory: The core’s kernel, the possible cause of the Earth’s formation, growth and development
“What can one tell about the peach’s pit, if we only know its rind and a bit from its pulp? . . . . . One might even say that our planet did not make the core, but rather, the core’s kernel makes the earth, our Earth”.
Motto: The core of the Earth is a star in miniature
The essence of the theory:
“What can one tell about the peach’s pit, if we only know its rind and a bit from its pulp? . . . . . One might even say that our planet did not make the core, but rather, the core’s kernel makes the earth, our Earth”.
Motto: The core of the Earth is a star in miniature
On the Theory
of
“The Growing and Developing Earth”
by vedshehu@yahoo.com
The supporters of the actual standard theory about earth origin ought to consider my interpretation as a remarkable unacceptable variant of the global tectonic theories, because of its following definition:“The matter transformation in the ultradense ultrathin core kernel’s geo-sphere is the cause of the Earth’s formation, growth and development since its origin”.
Opposite attitude to this definition originates from conservative attitude toward the unchangeable trustworthy tradition of the standard theory of the earth origin. This formulation expresses the author’s peculiar conceptions proposing the unusual theory “The Growing and Developing Earth” These unusual or atypical conceptions are:
- on the basic shapes of the transforming matter; - on the energetic kernel of the earth core as active cosmic object; - on the modification of the standard theory on the Earth’s origin in the frame of the solar system; - on the earth growing (vs. expanding) process caused from the core kernel transformation; - on the cause of the geological development of the earth crust.
If the aforementioned formulation would to be accepted, it would create a new fundamental theoretical base that would be better oriented towards either the geological research or the cosmic one.
Matter transformation is in the base of every development, every process, but the peculiarity of this theory is seen at a certain kind of the matter shape, causing the growing and developing process
On the Theory
of
“The Growing and Developing Earth”
The supporters of the actual standard theory about earth origin ought to consider my interpretation as a remarkable unacceptable variant of the global tectonic theories, because of its following definition:“The matter transformation in the ultradense ultrathin core kernel’s geo-sphere is the cause of the Earth’s formation, growth and development since its origin”.
Opposite attitude to this definition originates from conservative attitude toward the unchangeable trustworthy tradition of the standard theory of the earth origin. This formulation expresses the author’s peculiar conceptions proposing the unusual theory “The Growing and Developing Earth” These unusual or atypical conceptions are:
- on the basic shapes of the transforming matter; - on the energetic kernel of the earth core as active cosmic object; - on the modification of the standard theory on the Earth’s origin in the frame of the solar system; - on the earth growing (vs. expanding) process caused from the core kernel transformation; - on the cause of the geological development of the earth crust.
If the aforementioned formulation would to be accepted, it would create a new fundamental theoretical base that would be better oriented towards either the geological research or the cosmic one.
Matter transformation is in the base of every development, every process, but the peculiarity of this theory is seen at a certain kind of the matter shape, causing the growing and developing process
Jason Hiatt on January 24, 2011:
I have just discovered hubpages and your hubs are great reads! Thank you!
William J. Prest (author) from Vancouver, Canada on January 23, 2011:
If we take God as nature, then yes, they are acts of God. We can expect nature to continue to be weird over the next indeterminate period until a new stability is achieved inside the earth and the reoriented geomagnetic stabilizes. The planets do effect us. Astrologers consider the sun a planet, though it is a star. Nevertheless I think we could all agree; no sun, no life. Then there is the moon that drives the tides and helps to shape evolution. Jupiter and the outer planets can redirect asteroids and comets into the inner solar system where they can have a direct impact on us from time to time. The last big one was at Tungeska, Siberia on June 30th, 1908.
As for the galactic alignment, there is some disagreement on this too, as we have to consider the sidereal versus tropical question. It think the top photo and the astronomical program settles the point of the solstice eclipse in the heart of sky and that the opposite point to this is the galactic center. The picture is of a real celestial event and occurs in sidereal reality. Regardless of whether we look at the question from a tropical or sidereal perspective, the angular relationships of planets are identical. In the cosmos everything is interconnected by the four fundamental forces and if we take into account, quantum entanglement, then it is really a self answering question. Thus each individual celestial body interacts with everything else. In this way, the galactic alignment can be said to have an effect, but then again, it is always affecting us, whether or not things are lined up.
lightning john from Florida on January 23, 2011:
Syzygyastro, Very nice writing. I can only wish to be as good a writer as you, and to know as much as well.
The year 2011 has started off a little bizarre to say the least. I was talking with an older friend of mine the other day, and commented on how I thought that some events that effect us could be planetary. He seemed really irritated and even offended saying "what ever you want to think". He thinks all events can only be acts of God.
