I would have thought so given this brilliant bit of journalism from the ABC... how to confuse an already confused public - put both "LG" and "NM" types in the same article - even though Fred winds it in at the end.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...12/3215114.htm
Quote:
Planets align for awesome foursome showcase
By Monique Ross
Updated 1 hour 18 minutes ago
Astronomers and stargazers will be looking to the dawn sky tomorrow as planets Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter align over the southern hemisphere.
Astrologists predict the visual treat, which will be visible just above the horizon around sunrise, will influence the behaviour and emotions of those on Earth.
Fred Watson, the astronomer-in-charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory in NSW, says stargazers in eastern Australia should look to the sky between 5.00am and 7.00am (AEST).
He says tomorrow's planetary show may not be rivalled for another 29 years.
"Perhaps the best repeat performance of this - and one that will in some ways be even better - will be when all five of the naked-eye planets come together in the early evening sky on September 8, 2040," he said.
But he says tomorrow will not be the only chance to catch a glimpse of the alignment.
"It's one of these things that doesn't just take place over one day. This is something that's happened over a few weeks as the planets come together in the morning sky, and it will continue for a few weeks as they gradually drift apart again," he said.
Professor Watson says Venus will be in the middle of the group, while Jupiter will sit just above and to the left. Mercury will be to the right of Jupiter and slightly fainter.
"Venus is the brightest of all the planets and stunningly bright at the moment. Jupiter [will be] right next to it tomorrow morning, about half a degree away," he said.
"Then the other planets, Mercury and Mars, are sort of in accompaniment - Mercury's nearer than Mars is, and Mars is the one that is nearest to the horizon at the moment.
"That's four of the five naked-eye planets all in a fairly close-knit community in the early morning sky. What's special about this one is that they've come together in such a tight grouping."
Astrologer Douglas Parker says his horoscope chart shows the four planets are actually very close to each other for about a week.
"Jupiter and Venus together indicates people born around this time will have film-star mannerisms, be extremely popular and have considerable artistic ability," he said.
"Jupiter and Mercury together indicates people born around this time will be successful in business, science or as a speaker.
"Mercury and Venus together indicates people born around this time will have considerable artistic and creative ability."
And, he says, it gets better.
"The Venus and Mars together in the sky indicates people born around this time will have a strong sexual magnetism and a strongly sensual nature," he said.
Astrologer Sarah Kulkens agrees the alignment will influence people on Earth, but says it may not all be positive.
"The line-up of the planets will make people a little more emotional than usual," she said.
"Most people will feel that family ties will be the most important part of their lives.
"The effect of this planet line-up has been slowly felt by many over the past few months and by the end of May people should be starting to slowly feel better."
But Professor Watson says the alignment of the planets has no impact on human behaviour.
"The whole science community, not just astronomy, tells us that the planets have no direct influence on anything that goes on here on Earth," he said.
"The gravitational attraction of the planets, which is the only thing that could make any difference, is far too small to have any effect, unlike the moon which is a small object relatively nearby that does have an effect - it raises tides.
"The ancient tradition of trying to say that planets influence people will take great notice of the alignment of the planets, but from an astronomical and scientific point of view, and might I say from a reasonable point of view, they have no impact whatsoever."
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