In the thoroughly discredited but eternally hilarious field of astrological ethics, there are good planets (Venus, Jupiter) and not-so-good (Mars and Saturn -- bad, bad, bad planets). When the latter two align, all cosmic bets are off. Sometimes the havoc they wreak is relatively benign (Tyne Daly and Dolly Parton were supposedly born during a past convergence), but one can never be sure. Astrologer Richard Nolle -- on his Web site Astropro Features -- counsels extreme caution during the current alignment (until May 10), telling readers to "watch your back" and prepare for anything from lone gunmen to terrorist attacks.
BRYANT FUKUTOMI / BFUKUTOMI@STARBULLETIN.COMBy Scott Vogel
svogel@starbulletin.comBut wait, doomsayers, we're not finished. This year, not two, not three, but five planets will simultaneously be visible to the naked eye: Jupiter and Venus (yay!), Mars and Saturn (boo!), and Mercury (he's considered reluctantly impartial -- a sort of Judge Judy of the solar system). And not until 2040 will they be clustered together in such close proximity.
"In the elaborate edifice of astronomy in the Renaissance and medieval times, every constellation of the zodiac and every planet had its own significance," said the manager of the Bishop Museum Planetarium, Mike Shanahan, before declaring flatly that he considers this good-bad planet stuff bogus.
Still, he has to keep abreast of the latest crackpot scientific theories, particularly as rare celestial events still provoke anxieties in his planetarium audience.
"Back in 1982, with the Jupiter Effect, there was a lot of talk about an alignment of Jupiter and Saturn creating additional gravitational strain on the Earth, causing tidal waves," he said. "And I think that because that was such a bust, I really haven't heard much about any doomsayer significance (with regard to) what's happening here in April and May, which is a relief."
A relief because for once it appears that human beings will bring little emotional baggage to a truly awesome cosmic spectacle, and one that is scheduled to play every night from now through approximately May 15, when Mercury will no longer be visible.
The only hitch, it seems, could be our cloudy weather of late, though conditions are always perfect inside the planetarium, where the museum is offering a special show on the Party of Five, after which audiences will be invited to trek up to the viewing deck for a glimpse of the real thing. (Tonight's program is sold out, but tickets to a just-added second show, on Sunday, remain available.) Then again, the great thing about nature, said Shanahan, is the democratic way its spectacles can sometimes unfold.
"If you can't make it down to the museum, you can see this on your own. All you need is a nice clear view of the western sky. You don't need a telescope and you don't need binoculars to see all five of them."
You don't even need a wide-angle lens this week, as four of the planets will be within 10 degrees of each other, clustered so closely that you could cover them all by a fist held at arm's length. Just remember that optimal viewing occurs at around 7:30 p.m., or roughly 30 minutes after sunset (which tonight is at 6:57).
So look west, ye lovers of celestial bodies great and small. And feast your eyes on either a bona fide, compelling astronomical oddity or a grand spectacle of good vs. evil, depending on your particular bent.
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Where: Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St. 'Party of Five' Planetarium Show
When: 6 p.m. Sunday, with a trip to the museum's viewing deck to follow
Cost: $4; $3 for children
Call: 848-4168
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