PAUL A. LaVIOLETTE, PH.D, is author of The Talk of the Galaxy,
Earth Under Fire, Genesis of the Cosmos (Beyond the Big Bang),
Subquantum Kinetics, and editor of A Systems View of Man. He has also
published many original papers in physics, astronomy, climatology,
systems theory, and psychology. He received his BA in physics from Johns
Hopkins, his MBA from the University of Chicago, and PhD from Portland
State University and is currently president of
the Starburst Foundation, an
interdisciplinary scientific research institute.
Paul
LaViolette has an ongoing interest in metaphysics, mysticism, and
music.
He has served as a solar
energy consultant for the UN, Greek government, and Club of Rome Goals
for Mankind Project and has also consulted Fortune 500 companies on ways
of stimulating innovation. Research he conducted at Harvard School of
Public Health led him to invent an improved pulsation dampener for air
sampling pumps.
Related work led him to develop an improved life-support rebreather apparatus for protection against hazardous environments and
for which he received two patents.
Recognized in the Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Dr.
LaViolette is the first to predict that high intensity volleys of
cosmic ray particles travel directly to our planet from distant
sources in our Galaxy, a phenomenon now confirmed by scientific data. He
is also the first to discover high concentrations of cosmic dust in Ice
Age polar ice, indicating the occurrence of a global cosmic catastrophe
in ancient times.
Based on this work, he made predictions about the
entry of interstellar dust into the solar system ten years before its
confirmation in 1993 by data from the Ulysses spacecraft and by
radar observations from New Zealand. He also originated the glacier wave
flood theory that not only provides a reasonable scientific explanation
for widespread continental floods, but also presents a credible
explanation for the sudden freezing of the arctic mammoths and demise of
the Pleistocene mammals. Also he developed a novel theory that links
geomagnetic flips to the past occurrence of immense solar flare storm
outbursts.
He is the developer of subquantum kinetics, a novel approach to
microphysics that not only accounts for electric, magnetic,
gravitational, and nuclear forces in a unified manner, but also resolves
many long-standing problems in physics such as the field singularity
problem, the wave-particle dualism, and the field source problem, to
mention a few. Moreover based on the predictions of this theory, he
developed an alternative cosmology that effectively replaces the big
bang theory.
In fact, in 1986, he was the first to cast doubt on the big
bang theory by showing that it makes a far poorer fit to existing
astronomical data when compared to this new non-expanding universe
cosmology. The subquantum kinetics cosmology also led him to make
successful predictions about galaxy evolution that were later verified
with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Dr. LaViolette is credited with the discovery of the
planetary-stellar mass-luminosity relation which demonstrates that the
Sun, planets, stars, and supernova explosions are powered by spontaneous
energy creation through photon blueshifting. With this relation, he
successfully predicted the mass-luminosity ratio of the first brown
dwarf to be discovered.
In addition, Paul LaViolette has developed a new theory of
gravity that replaces the deeply flawed theory of general
relativity. Predicted from subquantum kinetics, it accounts for the
electrogravitic coupling phenomenon discovered by Townsend Brown
and may explain the advanced aerospace propulsion technology utilized in
the B-2 bomber.
He is the first to discover that certain ancient creation myths and
esoteric lores metaphorically encode an advanced science of
cosmogenesis.
His contributions to the field of Egyptology and
mythology may be compared to the breaking of the Rosetta Stone
hieroglyphic code.
"Galactic core outbursts
are the most energetic phenomenon taking place in the universe. The
active, quasar-like core of spiral galaxy PG 0052+251 (Figure 1-a),
for example, is seen to radiate 7 times as much energy as comes from
all of the galaxy’s stars. Most of this is emitted in the form of
high energy cosmic ray electrons accompanied by electromagnetic
radiation ranging from radio wave frequencies on up to X ray and
gamma ray frequencies.
"A study of astronomical and geological data reveals that cosmic ray
electrons and electromagnetic radiation from a similar outburst of
our own Galactic core (Figure 1-b), impacted our Solar System near
the end of the last ice age. This cosmic ray event spanned a period
of several thousand years and climaxed around 14,200 years ago.
Although far less intense than the PG 0052+251 quasar outburst, it
was, nevertheless, able to substantially affect the Earth’s climate
and trigger a solar-terrestrial conflagration the initiated the
worst animal extinction episode of the Tertiary period.
"The effects on the Sun and on the Earth’s climate were not due to
the Galactic cosmic rays themselves, but to the cosmic dust that
these cosmic rays transported into the Solar System. Observations
have shown that the Solar System is presently immersed in a dense
cloud of cosmic dust, material that is normally kept at bay by the
outward pressure of the solar wind.
But, with the arrival of this
Galactic cosmic ray volley, the solar wind was overpowered and large
quantities of this material were pushed inward. The Sun was
enveloped in a cocoon of dust that caused its spectrum to shift
toward the infrared. In addition, the dust grains filling the Solar
System scattered radiation back to the Earth, producing an
"interplanetary hothouse effect" that substantially increased the
influx of solar radiation to the Earth. Details of this scenario are
described in Paul LaViolette’s book Earth Under Fire,(1)
in his Ph.D. dissertation,(2) as well as in a series of journal
articles he has published.(38)
"LaViolette’s research suggests that the Sun also became highly
active as dust and gas falling onto its surface induced extreme
flaring activity. Together with the radiation influx from the Sun’s
dust cocoon, this caused the Sun’s corona and photosphere to
inflate, much as is observed today in dust-choked stars called "T
Tauri stars." These various solar effects caused atmospheric
warming and inversion conditions that facilitated glacial growth
which brought on ice age conditions.
On occasions when the solar
radiation influx to the Earth became particularly high, the ice age
climate warmed, initiating episodes of rapid glacial melting and
continental flooding. There is evidence that one particularly tragic
solar flare event occurred around 12,750 years ago during a period
when the Sun was particularly active. This involved the release of
an immense coronal mass ejection which engulfed the Earth and
induced a mass animal extinction.
"Dr. LaViolette, who is currently president and chief
researcher of the Starburst Foundation, was the first to demonstrate
that cosmic rays from a galactic core explosion penetrate far
outside a galaxy’s nucleus to bombard solar systems like our own
residing in the spiral arm disk. He coined the word "galactic
superwave" to refer to such a cosmic barrage. He has shown that
galactic superwaves recur at long intervals and arrive at Earth’s
doorstep without warning because they travel at near light speed.
"Galactic superwaves are a recent discovery. During the early 60’s
astronomers began to realize that the massive object that forms the
core of our Galaxy (the Milky Way), periodically becomes active.(9)
The cores of all spiral galaxies cycle through a similar phase.
During its active period, our galactic core spews out a fierce
quasar-like barrages of cosmic rays, with a total energy output
equal to hundreds of thousands of supernova explosions.(10, 11) In
some galaxies these active emissions have been observed to equal the
energy from billions of supernova explosions.
"Until recently, astronomers believed these eruptions were very
infrequent, occurring every 10 to 100 million years.(10) They also
believed the interstellar magnetic fields, in the Galactic nucleus,
would trap the emitted particles in spiral orbits causing them to
reach the Earth very slowly.(12) For these reasons, many did not
believe that Galactic core explosions posed any immediate threat to
the Earth.
"However, in 1983 Paul LaViolette presented evidence to the
scientific community indicating that:(2 - 4)
1. Galactic
core explosions actually occur about every 13,000 - 26,000 years
for major outbursts and more frequently for lesser events.
2. The emitted cosmic rays escape from the core virtually
unimpeded. As they travel radially outward through the Galaxy,
they form a spherical shell that advances at a velocity
approaching the speed of light.
"Astronomical
discoveries subsequently confirmed aspects of Dr. LaViolette’s
hypothesis. In 1985, astronomers discovered that Cygnus X-3, an
energetic celestial source of cosmic rays, which is about the same
distance from Earth as the Galactic Center (25,000 light years), is
showering Earth with particles, traveling at close to the speed of
light, moving in essentially straight paths.(13) Later, scientists
found the Earth is impacted, at sporadic intervals, with cosmic rays
emitted from the X-ray pulsar Hercules X-1 (about 12,000 light years
distant).(14, 15) The intervening interstellar medium has so little
effect on these particles, that their pulsation period of 1.2357
seconds, is constant to within 300 microseconds.
"These findings are reason to be gravely concerned about the effects
of a Galactic core explosion because they imply that the cosmic rays
generated can impact our planet, virtually without warning, preceded
only by the wave-flash from the initial explosion.(1, 2, 6)
Astronomical observations show the last major Galactic core
explosion occurred as recently as 10,000 to 15,000 years ago.(16,
17) Data obtained from polar ice core samples show evidence of this
cosmic ray event as well as other cosmic ray intensity peaks from
earlier times (Figure 2).(1, 18)
"Also Dr. LaViolette’s prediction that there is a residual flow of
interstellar dust currently entering the Solar System from the
Galactic center direction was later verified by data collected from
the Ulysses spacecraft and by AMOR radar measurements made in New
Zealand.(8)
For a listing of related theory predictions and their verification
click here.
"Today, tomorrow, next week, next year. . . sometime in the coming
decades. . . our planet could once again be hit by an intense volley
of Galactic cosmic rays. It will come cloaked and hidden from us,
until the very moment it strikes. We live on the edge of the
Galaxy’s volcano. Knowing neither the time, the magnitude, nor the
severity of the next eruption or its impact on our environment, we
stand unprepared to deal with this event, much less anticipate its
arrival.
Galactic Superwaves - Their Effects on Life and Society
"When cosmic rays from
Galactic superwaves impact the Earth’s atmosphere, they produce
"electron cascades." Each primary cosmic ray generates millions of
secondary high energy electrons. Many of these particles scatter
upwards and become trapped by the Earth’s magnetic field to form
radiation belts similar to those created by high altitude nuclear
explosions. In just one day, a major Galactic superwave event would
inject into the geomagnetic field a particle energy equivalent to
1000 one-megaton hydrogen bomb explosions (1025 ergs). At this rate,
the energy delivered to the belts after one year would exceed 30,000
times the energy received from the most powerful solar cosmic ray
storms observed in modern times.
"Such energized radiation belts could cause a global communications
blackout by creating radio static and by permanently damaging
critical electronic components of communication satellites. Air
travel during such conditions would be extremely hazardous. The
resulting atmospheric ionization would destroy the ozone layer, and
increase skin cancer rates, due to high levels of UV reaching the
Earth’s surface; the cosmic ray particles penetrating to ground
level would significantly increase cell mutation rates.
"Galactic superwaves may also produce an intense electromagnetic
pulse (EMP) whenever a cosmic ray front happens to strike the
Earth’s atmosphere. Galactic superwaves such as those that arrived
during the last ice age could have generated pulses delivering tens
of thousands of volts per meter in times as short as a billionth of
a second, comparable to the early-time EMP signal from a
high-altitude nuclear explosion (see Figure 3).
"In addition, there is the danger that a superwave could transport
outlying cosmic dust into the Solar System which could seriously
affect the Earth’s climate possibly triggering a new ice age.
Although there is a small probability that the next superwave will
be as catastrophic as the one at the end of the last ice age, even
the less intense, more frequent events would be quite hazardous for
the global economy.
The Frequency and Hazards
of Minor Superwave Events
Galactic Center activity
occurs frequently between major superwave events. Astronomical
observation indicates that during the last 6,000 years, the Galactic
center has expelled 14 clouds of ionized gas.(19) See Figure 4 for
dates. These outbursts may have produced minor superwave emissions
with EMP effects comparable to those of major superwaves. About 80%
of these bursts took place within 500 hundred years of one another
(Figure 5). With the most recent outburst occurring 700 years ago,
there is a high probability of another one occurring in the near
future.
The four-second extragalactic gamma ray burst that arrived in 1983,
did have a measurable effect on radio transmissions used for global
navigation and communication.(20) By comparison, the "minor"
superwave events discussed above might have total energies hundreds
of millions of times greater than this.
At present little research is being done on this important
astronomical phenomenon. Nor are we prepared should a Galactic
superwave suddenly arrive. International channels of communication
are not in place to deal with the disasters that a superwave could
bring upon us.
Steps that Should be Taken
Currently, radio
astronomers are monitoring the cosmic ray/synchrotron radiation
activity of the Galactic core on a daily basis. They report their
findings regularly in IAU (International Astronomical Union)
circulars. However, an early warning system needs to be set up so
that, in the event that signs of a significant core outburst and
superwave activity are detected, the proper organizations around the
world are notified and the proper precautions are taken. In this
way, the impact of such an event could be drastically reduced.
In regard to the superwave EMP problem, there is a need to develop
an awareness about this phenomenon so that if it does occur, it does
not inadvertently trigger a nuclear missile launching. Also there is
a need to develop emergency plans to implement measures that will
minimize its impact on power and communications networks.
There needs to be an increased awareness of the phenomenon and its
potential threat to the Earth so that ways might be found of
minimizing the effects of a superwave should one arrive. More
scientific papers need to be presented on research on this subject
and media coverage of the subject is needed. Astronomical and
geological research needs to be conducted to learn more about this
phenomenon. For example, a more detailed analysis needs to be made
of the high concentrations of beryllium-10 and cosmic dust present
in the ice age portion of the Earth’s polar ice record, remnants of
the last major superwave event. Data on interstellar dust
composition that will be gathered with the Cassini spacecraft will
also be particularly useful.
Currently, the Starburst Foundation is one of the few organizations
researching this important astronomical phenomenon. The Starburst
Foundation is a scientific research institute dedicated to
discovering how Galactic superwaves have affected our planet in the
past, to implementing an international early-warning system for
future events, and to investigating ways of lessening the adverse
effects of superwaves on our planet.
The Starburst Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit U.S. corporation
that is supported by charitable contributions. Those interested in
sending donations may make out a check to the Starburst Foundation
and send it to:
The Starburst Foundation 1176 Hedgewood Lane
Niskayuna, NY 12309
email:
Gravitics1@aol.com
References
1) LaViolette, P. A.
Earth Under Fire. Alexandria, VA: Starlane Publications, 1997.
2) LaViolette, P. A. Galactic Explosions, Cosmic Dust Invasions, and
Climatic Change. Ph.D. dissertation, Portland State University,
Portland, Oregon, August 1983.
3) LaViolette, P. A. "The terminal Pleistocene cosmic event:
Evidence for recent incursion of nebular material into the Solar
System." Eos 64 (1983): 286. American Geophysical Union paper,
Baltimore, Maryland.
4) LaViolette, P. A. "Elevated concentrations of cosmic dust in
Wisconsin stage polar ice." Meteoritics 18 (1983): 336. Meteoritical
Society paper, Mainz, Germany.
5) LaViolette, P. A. "Evidence of high cosmic dust concentrations in
Late Pleistocene polar ice (20,000 - 14,000 Years BP)." Meteoritics
20 (1985): 545.
6) LaViolette, P. A. "Cosmic ray volleys from the Galactic Center
and their recent impact on the Earth environment." Earth, Moon, and
Planets 37 (1987): 241.
7) LaViolette, P. A. "Galactic core explosions and the evolution of
life." Anthropos 12, (1990): 239 255.
8) LaViolette, P. A. "Anticipation of the Ulysses interstellar dust
findings." Eos 74(44) (1993): 510 511.
9) Oort, J. H. "The Galactic Center." Annual Reviews of Astronomy &
Astrophysics 15 (1977): 295.
10) Burbridge, G. R. et al. "Evidence for the occurrence of violent
events in the nuclei of galaxies." Reviews of Modern Physics 35
(1963): 947.
11) Burbidge, G. R. et al. "Physics of compact nonthermal sources
III. Energetic considerations." Astrophysical Journal 193 (1974):
43.
12) Ginzburg, V. L., and Syrovatskii, S. I. The Origin of Cosmic
Rays. New York: Pergamon Press, 1964, p. 207.
13) Marshak, et al. "Evidence for muon production by particles from
Cygnus X-3," Physical Review Letters 54 (1985): 2079.
14) Dingus, B. L. et al. "High-energy pulsed emission from Hercules
X-1 with anomalous air-shower muon production." Physical Review
Letters 61 (1988): 1906.
15) Schwarzschild, B. "Are the ultra-energetic cosmic gammas really
photons? Physics Today (ll) (1988): 17.
16) Brown, R. L., and Johnston, K. J. "The gas density and
distribution within 2 parsecs of the Galactic Center," Astrophysical
Journal 268 (1983): L85.
17) Lo, K. Y., and Claussen, M. J. "High-resolution observations of
ionized gas in central 3 paresecs of the Galaxy: possible evidence
for infall." Nature 306 (1983): 647.
18) Raisbeck, G. M., et al. "Evidence for two intervals of enhanced
10Be deposition in Antarctic ice during the Last Glacial Period."
Nature 326 (1987): 273.
19) Lacy, J. H., Townes, C. H., Geballe, T. R., and Hollenbach, D.
J. "Observations of the motion and distribution of the ionized gas
in the central parsec of the Galaxy. II," Astrophysical Journal 241
(1980): 132.
20) Fishman, G. J. and Inan, U. S. "Observation of an ionospheric
disturbance caused by a gamma-ray burst." Nature 331 (1988):418.
Paul
LaViolette has an ongoing interest in metaphysics, mysticism, and
music.