What Would Happen If the Planets Lined Up?

The video explores the concept of planetary alignment, debunking myths about catastrophic effects. It discusses scientific perspectives on whether true alignments have occurred, noting the challenges due to planetary orbits. Historical alignments, like those in 1982 and 2000, are examined, showing no significant impact on Earth. The gravitational effects of alignments are minimal, with NASA calculations indicating negligible tidal changes. The video highlights syzygy, a more common alignment of three celestial bodies, and its practical applications, such as the Voyager missions. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to engage with SciShow Space.

What is a planetary alignment and how is it often depicted in popular media?

What are some of the catastrophic effects that conspiracy theories claim would result from a planetary alignment?

Why do some scientists believe that a true planetary alignment may not be possible?

What is syzygy and how does it differ from a planetary alignment?

How did NASA utilize the concept of syzygy in planning the Voyager missions?