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"A more likely natural explanation is as follows. On the day in question it was cloudy and when the sun is viewed through thin cloud it often appears as a bright thin disc. Any alteration in the density of the passing cloud can cause the sun to appear to "shimmer or dance" due to alterations in the sun's apparent brightness and dimness as seen through the passing clouds. As the sun brightens it appears to advance and as it dims it appears to go back or recede. Water droplets or atmospheric dust in the cloud can also cause the sun also to apparently change colours."

A more detailed explanation is that when the temperature of air changes, so does it optical refractivity, especially if there is water vapor present. This can be easily observed at any airport. Watch the ground though the exhaust of a jet whose engines are idling near the terminal or taxiing on the runway. Objects seen behind the engine exhaust through this heated air will appear to dance as the density of air changes. This can also be observed on some hot days by looking at asphalt on roads in the distance. They sometimes appear to be wet yet as you approach them you realize what seemed to be water was an illusion. This also probably explains the mirage of an oasis in the distance in a desert.

"If the sun truly danced in the sky, scientific observatories worldwide would have recorded it, but they did not!"

Actually had the sun "danced in the sky" it would be the result of a sudden change of motion of the earth with regard to the sun. Such an event would have most likely ripped the entire earth apart and destroyed every man made structure instantly.

Amazing what you can do with laser projected holograms these days. How you can make images seem to appear in thin air out of nothing. Too bad the boy in the weather balloon shaped like a a flying saucer hoax was used so recently. Otherwise they could have gotten away with making the virgin Mary appear to have come from outer space. Anyone want to go visit some new crop circles a guy made just for a Halloween prank?

It is very sad that Irish people are made to look so stupid by a few Irish religious freaks. Worshipping God in extremes by a God fearing nation can be admiraable, despite the abuse of Children by senior Priests, but this just shows how vulnerable the average country person can be and how ridiculous the Catholic Church can be in their fastidious support of myth and mystique. No wonder the following of the Church is steadily diminishing , whether Protestant or Catholic.

The Dead are sleeping until the Ressurection off the last day.

What this story requires is

William:

I was reading your blog and its requires context...But, afterall, it
is pretty informative note.

~Dennis Junior~

If you want a real miracle, check out the atheist cycling from Muslim Jordan to Jewish Israel to raise money for a Christian hospital :-)

I fly out to Jordan tomorrow morning. Wish me luck - or the blessings of whatever space pixie takes your fancy. I promise to be good. We're hoping to establish a bursary to help train nurses from the Galilee.

All this cheap nonsense at Knock devalues the true meaning of humanity. No miracles occurred. The sun did not dance in the sky; the phenomenon is not due to atmospheric factors, but mental factors. We're here, we're it. It's *our* responsibility to make this a better world, girls. Let's just do it!

nocanspin;

"It is very sad that Irish people are made to look so stupid by a few Irish religious freaks."

I don't know, it seems to me they did a pretty good job of that themselves when they first voted no on Lisbon and then voted yes. I guess in Ireland, no doesn't mean no, it means if you ask me again it means yes.

"I fly out to Jordan tomorrow morning. Wish me luck"

Very, very best of luck to you Helio. May you be warmly embraced by His noodly appendages all the way, so that your very worthy endeavour is successful.

Best of luck to you Helio.Is there a way we can donate to this cause?

For once I agree with Helio (may the road rise to meet him) - all that is needed for a vision in these circumstances is the combination of desire and suggestion. People who saw something, at some level of consciousness, wanted to see something.

I was struck by the utter banality of the words Coleman and Henderson placed in Mary's mouth - compare them with the wonder of the Magnificat - it doesn't seem as if heaven is a linguistically enriching experience.

I do not hesitate, however, to classify this as a banality of evil. Anyone who watches RTE on a regular basis will be struck by level of advertising for psychics and clairvoyants - when one considers the cost of that advertising one gets an idea of the size of the market available for exploitation.

Feeding off the vulnerable is of the very essence of evil and historically churches have been as guilty as any in feasting at that table. Those who know the love of God have, however, a responsibility to denounce such exploitation. Those who would attach any credance to these alleged messages from Mary should look carefully at the background and history of their proclamants.

ÌýÌý

Helio

Would you e-mail me and let me know how I can get you some money?

GV

All these people belittling and demeaning this event....HOW do you know ????? were you there ???? If you weren`t, then you do not have the right to say anything about it. I had a friend who was there and saw the whole thing, and it wasn`t explainable by science. Geeez, people will say anything to be negative. Even so, IF the even was explainable by Science ( which it was NOT ) why do you want to knock it down ??? let people have their faith, and if they believed it, what`s wrong with it strengthening their faith ??? WHY do feel the need to bash it down ????? I don`t understand you people. If it gave people comfort in this suffering world, all the better.

Michael - did you see the Prime Time on Christina Gallagher and the House of Prayer?

Do you think people shouldn't have pointed out what was going on there either?

I can't tell the satirical posts apart from the authentic. Help!