A rumor is spreading that the Earth will experience 15 days of darkness this November. Some even claim that the alleged news came straight from NASA. Is this true or just plain hoax?
The rumors started with a pronouncement that on the month of November, the Earth will experience 15 days of apocalyptic total darkness. Some believers panicked upon hearing the rumors that cited "total darkness" is about to occur. The alleged blackout will occur on Nov. 15 to Nov. 29. This rumor has already spread in November 2015 and has now resurfaced near the same month this year.
However, experts were quick to dispel the rumor, saying the total darkness speculations are a plain hoax, despite people claiming that this could be attributed to the "parallelism" of Venus and Jupiter, a natural celestial occurrence. Experts refute that even lthough it may cause some weird and stunning celestial shows, it definitely won't be causing total darkness as rumors suggest.
NASA and experts call this phenomenon "conjunction" of Venus and Jupiter. This happens when the two planets come very close to each other at only about "one-fifteenth of a degree" apart. This year, the conjunction happened last Aug. 27.
Reports say that NASA also dispelled the rumors by blatantly saying that the news is false and fake. This means that there is no truth about the 15 days of darkness.
However, for those still looking for something out of the ordinary this November, there are a few celestial extravaganzas to look out for. On Nov. 14, 5h3 Taurids meteor shower will light up the night sky. It is a minor meteor shower that will only yield about five to 10 meteors per hour. However, many anticipate it since it will create two separate streams of showers from asteroid 2006 TG10 and Comet 2P Encke. The estimated peak date is on Nov. 4 during the first quarter moon, so stargazers can expect darker skies that are conducive for viewing meteor showers.
Meanwhile on Nov. 16 to Nov. 17, Leonids Meteor shower will occur. It can yield to up to 15 shooting stars per hour during its peak. It has a "cyclonic peak" every 33 years, according to a trusted Astronomy Calendar.
So instead of panicking from 15 days of total darkness rumors, people should prepare to watch various meteor showers this November instead.