NP Candles Tonight

[David Morris]

I'd missed this on the P-list, but it went around my office yesterday:
http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blvigil.htm

Candlelight Vigil to Be Photographed from Space  
 
Netlore Archive  
Description:  Email hoax
Status:  False
Circulating since:  Sept. 17, 2001
Analysis:  See below 
 
Comments:   False.  As you can see from the specimens above, the first of which
appeared on Monday, September 17, the same message is being recycled daily. 

We don't know where the misinformation originated, but apart from last Friday's
(September 14) official Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of the
recent terrorist attacks — when many people did stand outside their homes with
candles — there has been no plan announced by the U.S. government for a
nationwide vigil, nor any mention of photographing such an event by satellite. 

Three further points: 

At 7:30 Pacific time it's still daylight on the west coast 

All the electric lighting across the country would have to be turned off in
order for the candlelight to be visible from a distance 

It's questionable in the first place whether candlelight would be visible from
outer space. 
There's certainly no harm in people participating in such a vigil if they
choose, but be advised that the email messages are misinformed. This is not an
officially sanctioned event. 

> (In the event you haven't already heard)
> 
> Just announced on the radio ...
> The U.S. has asked that everyone step out on their lawns tonight at
> 
> 10:30 Eastern
> 9:30 Central
> 8:30 Mountain
> 7:30 Pacific
> 
> and light a candle.  
> 
> They will be taking a satellite picture of the U.S. and post it on the
> news tomorrow morning.
> 
> Please pass this on to as many people as possible.
> 
> ,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_
> 
> ¤ Henry Musikar
> 
> 



__________________________________________________
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/