PERCEPTIONS

摘要

Sky and Telescope is one of the old-st and most respected magazines dealing with astronomy on a popular level. Unfortunately, it slipped into debunking mode in the May, 2004, issue with an article "A Commonsense Guide to Cosmic Nonsense" (pp38-43) by astronomer Philip C. Plait. It seems to be aimed at young teenagers, with cartoon illustrations, loads of pejorative labels such as "cranks, crackpots, wackos, or woo woos." He created the Bad Astronomy website (www.badastronomy.com). Plait doesn't seem to be aware of how much bad astronomy has been foisted on the public by professional astronomers over the last 150 years or so. The article deals with several different topics, such as astrology, The Apollo Moon Hoax, alien abductions, and UFOs. One thing missing from the article is any indication that he really knows anything about astrology or alien abductions or UFOs.