Debunking the Solar Eclipse Conspiracy Theories
As the total solar eclipse approaches next week, conspiracy theories have been circulating online, spreading misinformation and fear. However, fact-checkers at USA Today have debunked these claims, and it’s essential to separate facts from fiction.
During the eclipse, the moon will perfectly cover the sun, despite their vast differences in size and distance from Earth. While this alignment may seem like a coincidence, it’s a natural phenomenon that has been observed and studied for centuries.
NASA’s APEP Mission
NASA will be launching three rockets during the eclipse as part of the APEP mission, named after the Egyptian serpent deity. While some have associated this name with evil and destruction, NASA has clarified that the acronym was chosen due to its connection to ancient Egyptian mythology, where Apep pursued the sun god Ra and occasionally caused eclipses.
CERN and the Large Hadron Collider
Conspiracy theories have also targeted CERN and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), claiming that they will be operating during the eclipse to open a portal or recreate the Big Bang. However, these claims are unfounded:
- 📍 The LHC is a scientific instrument designed to study particle physics, not to create portals or cause destruction.
- 📍 The statue outside CERN depicts Nataraja, a form of the Hindu god Shiva, and symbolizes the cosmic dance of creation and destruction in the universe.
- 📍 The CERN logo is not related to the number 666, and the World Wide Web’s creation at CERN has no connection to this number in Hebrew.
The Moon Turning Red
Claims that the moon is turning red due to the presence of hematite, which is derived from the Greek word for blood, have been circulating. While hematite has been found on the moon, it does not cause the moon to appear red. The reddish appearance of the moon during a lunar eclipse is caused by the Earth’s atmosphere scattering sunlight.
Additional Facts and Corrections
- 🌞 Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on the Earth’s surface.
- 🚀 NASA’s scientific missions, like APEP, aim to study the Earth’s atmosphere and the effects of solar eclipses, not to cause harm or destruction.
- 🔬 The Large Hadron Collider is a tool for scientific research, and its experiments have led to groundbreaking discoveries in particle physics, such as the Higgs boson.
- 🌍 The claim that CERN is located at a site where Antipas was put to death is not supported by historical evidence.
- 🌒 The Bible verses mentioned in the text are often taken out of context and do not specifically refer to the upcoming solar eclipse or the activities of NASA and CERN.
It is crucial to rely on scientific sources and fact-checkers when encountering information about the solar eclipse and related events. Conspiracy theories can be enticing, but they often distort the truth and create unnecessary fear. By separating facts from fiction, we can appreciate the natural wonder of the solar eclipse without falling prey to misinformation.
