Galactic Alignment Doomsday

Record	OBS-0623
Category	Space/NASA
Status	DEBUNKED
Summary	Some 2012 doomsayers claimed that a galactic alignment on the winter solstice would cause catastrophic effects, such as gravitational interactions with the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center. Scientists pointed out that such alignments are common and have no physical effect on Earth.
Origin	This theory emerged in the late 20th century within New Age circles, often tied to the 2012 phenomenon.
Claimed	The winter solstice would align with the galactic equator, causing disasters. Earth would interact with the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. The alignment would trigger a solar maximum or other cosmic events.
Evidence / consensus	Astronomers state that the alignment is not exact and has no gravitational or electromagnetic effect on Earth. The Maya could not have known about the galactic equator, and such alignments occur regularly without consequence.

> OBSERVER NOTE:
A poetic idea with zero physics. The galactic equator is an arbitrary line, and the solstice alignment happens every year. No black hole interaction is possible at such distances.

Sources

Sources are external and provided for verification. Listing does not imply the Observer endorses their claims.