What a Blast! ~ 08 May 2007


NASA’s high flying Chandra X-Ray Observatory, which orbits Earth often a third of the distance to the Moon above us, recently detected the brightest supernova ever recorded, SN 2006gy. This supernova surprised astronomers with its brightness and duration, thus altering theoretical predictions of the death of stars.


SN 2006gy resulted from the death of an extraordinarily massive star. This star lost mass prior to the explosion, hinting at its cosmic intentions, In our own galaxy, eta Carinae displays similar mass loss, possibly forecasting a similar event in our system. Eta Carinae certainly would be brighter, given its distance of 7,500 light years, compared to the huge distance of SN 2006gy of 240 million light years. Given we just witnessed the brightest explosion ever, the massiveness of the progenitor - the star that exploded - must have been up to 150 times as massive as our Sun!


After supernova explosions peak, the gases involved cool and slowly recede. This contraction ultimately results in an irreversible contraction that punches a hole in the fabric of the Universe, creating a supermassive black hole. In millions of years, astrologers will have yet another black hole to add to the growing interpretive list of these powerful entities.


So where are these things, anyway, and what should astrologers conclude? The galaxy in which SN 2006gy resides is NGC 1260. This galactic entity resides at 28 Taurus 07 (epoch 2000.0). Eta Carinae can be found at 22 Libra 09. While astrologers might be quick to jump on the Pleiadian bandwagon, keep in mind two of the stars in that Taurean asterism (sub-constellation) have already precessed into Gemini. As well, NGC 1260 lies further to the north by a substantial distance; while approximately conjunct by longitude in Taurus, the supernova lives in Perseus.


The last supernova of phenomenal import, SN 1987A carried its own collection of realizations. First, astronomers realized that even blue stars, not known to explode in such a manner, can supernova. Second, we witnessed the bombardment of the first source of non solar neutrinos. This observation confirmed that energy from deep space does impact Earth (in an indirect way affirming astrology, especially the deep space versions of it) and affect Earth and those upon it. Our awareness of galactic energies and evolution changed forever.


So maybe that’s part of it. With this awe-inspiring, staggeringly beautiful explosion we are all reminded of the inevitability of evolution in Creation. All things change, to something new, to something beyond what is known. Just this morning I was reading about a line of dialogue from the HBO show Deadwood, which died a stellar death and in which one of the main characters reports, “Change ain’t looking for friends,” and “Change calls the tune we dance to,” NGC 1260 and its brilliant beacon SN 2006gy serves as a reminder of change, the inevitability of cosmic nature and the surprisingly small role of humankind in that wheel. Along the lines of “you can’t take it with you,” humankind received a cosmic telegram stating, “None of it means a whole hill of beans when compared to cosmic splendor.”


Let’s also remember that the recent “event” was not recent at all; in fact it was a part of ancient galactic history. Since NGC 1260 lies approximately 240 million lt years distant, this event occurred roughly 240 million years ago. It’s just that the light of the event just reached our in space observatory. Perhaps the message also suggests, Lament not the past. Use the brilliance and awe of understanding to perceive more accurately the reality of Universal Nature. And in dandy accord with Jupiter in Sagittarius, when new evidence arrives, use it to alter preconceived notions to align with new truths.


For those wondering about black holes and galactic goodies, perhaps now is the time to get the Galactic Trilogy CD if you do not already have it. Just visit the store and order away. There’s more good stuff in there than you can shake the caduceus of Mercury at.