James McCanney
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James M. McCanney (sometimes referred to as "Professor James M. McCanney, M.S." although the title "Professor" appears to be self-applied) is a controversial non-mainstream astrophysicist whose theories involve electromagnetism playing a primary role in all aspects of astrophysics. His work asserts that solar systems are ever changing and electrically active. He has stridently opposed the mainstream view supported by NASA and others that outer space is electrically neutral. He is best known for his "Electric Comet Model" or "Plasma Discharge Comet Model" hypothesis (see text below and images to right). In March of 2007 he announced to the general public his patented and trademarked method of easily predicting prime numbers.
McCanney was an instructor of introductory Physics (1979-1980) and Mathematics (1980-1981) at Cornell University before leaving on bad terms because, according to his account, his research of raw data feeds from Jupiter probes led him to conclusions about the electrical nature of the universe that did not fit with the prevailing "comets-are-dirty-snowballs" paradigm. He has researched theoretical Celestial Mechanics and Plasma Physics, and has presented his theories at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (1987) and American Geophysical Union. McCanney is a frequent guest on the late-night syndicated radio talk show Coast to Coast AM and has a weekly radio program every Thursday which can be accessed from his web site at www.jmccanneyscience.com.
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[edit] Theories
McCanney's theories are geneally categorizated as a pseudoscience by mainstream astrophysicists and astronomers, but he has nevertheless continued to assert their scientific importance.
While still at Cornell, McCanney developed the Plasma Discharge Comet Model in the '80s. This theory states the Sun's fusion is at its surface, comets are not "dirty harmless little snow balls", and our solar system is electrically charged. He denounces all of the traditional "axioms of astronomy". He took Immanuel Velikovsky's theories to the next level.
[edit] Predictions
- In 1981, McCanney correctly predicted that comets would be found to emit x-rays.[1] This was first measured in 1996 from Comet Hyakutake). McCanney predicted this would be an effect of his Plasma Discharge Comet Model.
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- However, mainstream scientists think that the X-Rays are primarily generated by the interaction between comets and the solar wind: when highly charged ions fly through a cometary atmosphere, they collide with cometary atoms and molecules. In these collisions, the ions capture one or more electrons leading to emission of X-rays and far ultraviolet photons.[2]
- McCanney predicted 'sweeper moons' would be found in Saturn's rings. [1]
[edit] Criticisms
Most mainstream scientists classify McCanney as a pseudoscientist. McCanney consistently refuses to publicize his research, or submit his research to any form of peer review; instead he only publicizes his conclusions, not the research that the conclusions are based on. His stated objection to the peer review process is that he considers it inherently designed to maintain the status-quo, and discredit scientific mavericks such as himself. His failure to present publicly any research that would back his conclusions has lead many in the scientific community to question the existence of any supporting research.
"...just about everything McCanney claims is wrong. It's astonishing, really, the scope and breadth of his wrongness. In his book he rages against NASA, scientists, The Powers That Be, all because no one will give him credit for his ground-breaking ideas. It never occurs to him that he might simply be wrong." -Phil Plait
[edit] References
- DYNAMICS OF A SMALL COMET http://www.tmgnow.com/repository/cometary/smcomet.html
- CONTINUING GALACTIC FORMATION: A NEW CONCEPT OF GALACTIC EVOLUTION http://www.tmgnow.com/repository/galactic/galacticformation.html Astrophysics and Space Science 74 (1981) 57-64 (Editor-in-chief Zdenek Kopal refereed McCanney's paper himself)
- SATURN'S SWEEPER MOONS PREDICTED http://www.tmgnow.com/repository/planetary/sweep.html
[edit] Works
- Planet-X: Comets & Earth Changes. Subtitled "A Scientific Treatise on the effects of a new large planet or comet arriving in our Solar System and expected Earth weather and Earth changes”, 2003 ISBN 0-9722186-0-2
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- Planet X refers to Zecharia Sitchin’s theory of Nibiru, which he claims is the twelfth planet/body in our solar system (which includes 10 planets, the Sun, and the Moon). However, in Mccanney's lectures, books, and radio programs, Mccanney constantly points out that his (Mccanney's) own use of the term Planet-X refers to ANY relatively large extra-solar body, not necessarily Nibiru, passing through our solar system via a more eccentric path and making one or more near Earth passes before either leaving the solar system or settling into a more stable orbit over time, essentially becoming a new planet or moon.
- Altantis to Tesla - The Kolbrin Connection, 2003 ISBN 0-9722186-4-5
- Surviving Planet-X Passage, 2003 ISBN 0-9722186-3-7
- Principia Meteorologia - The Physics of Sun Earth Weather, aka: "The Weather Book", 2005
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF COMETS AND THE EVOLUTION OF CELESTIAL BODIES. Retrieved on June 25, 2006.
- ^ James McCanney. Probing space weather with comets. Retrieved on March 5, 2006.
[edit] External links
- James McCanney's website
- FLUFF, FLUFFIER, & FLUFFIEST - McCanney responds to his critics
- Bad Astronomy's debunking of McCanney's theories
