Redshifting Perspective

We must understand our position in the universe. While we may not know our final destination, it is crucial to comprehend the journey we are undertaking.

We are not simply existing on a blue planet orbiting a fiery sun in the void of space. Instead, we are spiraling through a universe that remains largely a mystery to us.

Earth, along with neighboring celestial bodies, solar systems, galaxies, and nebulae, is in constant motion through space. This dynamic should be appreciated, even if it defies our understanding.

Consider meteor showers: as a child, I eagerly anticipated the annual display of shooting stars, never realizing that it is not the meteors approaching us but rather our Earth traversing through regions filled with asteroids that creates this spectacle.

Our planet functions as a small cog in an unfathomable machine, which itself is part of an even larger system — perhaps not a machine at all, but something akin to ocean foam or pollen, or a phenomenon we cannot yet grasp.

To contextualize this, here are some compelling figures:

Earth speeds through space at about 67,000 miles per hour—not accounting for its rotation of 1,000 miles per hour. Our solar system travels at an average velocity of 515,000 miles per hour, taking approximately 230 million years to complete one orbit around the Milky Way. Our galaxy, in turn, moves through the universe at speeds exceeding 1.3 million miles per hour. This interconnected motion paints a more comprehensive picture.

What does this imply? It suggests that larger cosmic forces are always at play, influencing one another in ways we may not fully understand. The Earth has its own atmospheric and oceanic currents, just as we navigate our lives at our own paces. Yet, all are subject to greater forces, although we often fail to grasp this reality.

While we can quantify gravity and categorize natural forces, our understanding of the myriad interrelated elements in the grand scheme remains superficial. Cosmic rays, for instance, can fluctuate in intensity, and these variations can significantly affect our conditions, even if such impacts are not immediately evident.

We struggle to comprehend how solar flares affect us electromagnetically, and our grasp of the vast unknowns of dark matter and dark energy is still rudimentary. These mysterious phenomena may be the conduits for effects that unfold slowly over time, perhaps beyond our perception.

Interestingly, perspective can illuminate as much as it can obscure.

Radiant Relationships

Water is essential for life, and recent studies indicate that its molecular structure can be altered in ways once deemed impossible. This extends beyond the claims of Dr. Masaru Emoto, who suggested that human consciousness affects water. Research has shown that cosmic rays interact with water, leading to the production of cosmogenic nuclides that correlate with cosmic ray intensity. These rays penetrate deep into water, seeding clouds and potentially influencing weather and long-term climate patterns.

“Scientists from the Technical University of Denmark have indicated that their experiments reveal fluctuations in radiation from the Sun and supernovae could cause variations in our weather.”

— David Nield

If cosmic rays can have this effect on water, what about us? As beings composed primarily of water, we too may be affected.

Research has established connections between solar activity and our physiological responses. For instance, studies show that heart rate variability (HRV) reacts to geomagnetic and solar changes, suggesting a physiological response to cosmic conditions.

“Overall, this study strongly confirms that daily ANS (Automatic Nervous System) activity responds to changes in geomagnetic and solar activity primarily during periods undisturbed by solar activity…”

— Abdullah Alabdulgader et. al.

Water is just one medium affected by cosmic radiation; magnetism is another. Everything possesses a magnetic field, influenced by larger fields. Magnetars, for example, have magnetic forces trillions of times stronger than Earth’s and would obliterate any nearby human.

The real danger may not be asteroids or solar flares, but rather our solar system passing through a magnetic radiation belt. Such events could also facilitate life, as some historical scholars suggest.

We are undoubtedly influenced by cosmic forces. While this doesn’t mean that astrological alignments dictate our fates, it does imply that we are not immune to cosmic influences at any moment.

So what?

This leads us to a liberating yet frustrating realization: our knowledge is limited.

Imagine a microbe living on algae beneath a tiny aquatic plant in a pond, oblivious to the vastness of its environment. While this analogy may be dramatic, it emphasizes our inability to fully grasp the universe's enormity or the mysteries beyond its boundaries.

The adage rings true: the more we learn, the less we know.

While this insight may not provide concrete answers, it should remind us to appreciate the mysteries of life. Our quest for knowledge is vital, yet taking a step back to marvel at the world around us is equally important.

Conceded Caveat

However, we are more than mere microbes. Our curiosity and imagination drive us to explore and differentiate ourselves from other life forms.

This insatiable thirst for knowledge propels us forward. For those seeking deeper understanding, I’ve included a brief Q&A with Carolina Zilli Vieria, the author of the aforementioned study, discussing the universe's potential threats to us:

Your research investigated the relationship between Galactic Cosmic Rays and mortality rates in Sao Paulo from 1951 to 2012. Can you share your best hypothesis regarding this correlation? What underlying mechanisms have you identified?

C.Z.V: Our findings indicated that secondary products of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) correlate with mortality rates from 1951 to 2012. Potential explanations involve energy transfer from GCR-muons and neutrons to biological tissues, leading to DNA damage or oxidative stress that may increase predisposition to diseases and premature death over generations.

Interestingly, long-term exposure to GCR might drive epigenetic changes that influence evolutionary processes across species, including humans.

Our ongoing research also shows that these effects vary by location, allowing us to explore demographic differences.

Read more at www.borealism.ca

The Apeiron Blog — Big Questions, Made Simple.

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