People think the solar system looks very much today as it has for millions of years. Ancient civilizations worldwide, viewed the solar system differently. They believed the planets were gods and frequently fought, frightening the people. In the 1940s, Immaneul Velikovsky, a psychoanalyst, felt these myths about planets being gods were not pure flights of fancy. Ancient peoples descriptions about planet-gods were similar to what Velikovsky heard from patients who suffer from overpowering fear. Velikovsky then studied and compared many of the ancient myths. They all seem to describe similar heavenly events. Velikovsky, therefore, thought these ancient people actually saw the planetary orbits being disrupted, frightening people who thought the planets were gods. In 1950, Velikovsky began publishing a series of books proposing his thoughts, starting with "Worlds in Collision."

In 1997, D.S. Allan and J.B. Delair published "Cataclysm!” Compelling evidence of a cosmic catastrophe in 9500 B.C." They re-examined the theories of Velikovsky and came to similar conclusions. Their book begins with a detailed comparison of ancient myths.

Allan and Delair believe the supernova, Vega, threw off a planet-sized fragment that entered the solar system in 9500 B.C. It terrorized early peoples all over the world who were watching the skies. It passed close to Neptune, pushed away one of Neptune's moons, which become the planet Pluto. The ancient Babylonians named the new planet Marduk. The Romans knew it as Phaeton.

Phaeton-Marduk then demolished a planet between Earth and Mars, a planet Middle East observers called Tiamat, and the Greeks called Electra. Phaeton-Marduk captured Tiamat’s moon Kingu, while Tiamat disintegrated into the present-day asteroid belt. Phaeton-Marduk headed toward Earth, losing Kingu, which collided with the Earth causing the Deluge. Finally Phaeton-Marduk plunged into the sun.

This sounds fantastic! If Velikovsky hadn't introduced me to the possibility in 1950, I would have a difficult time giving "Cataclysm!" serious thought. ( )

Why out speculation. It was kind of fun in spots. ( )