In this issue

Å The cover image is “Planet V” from the 4-minute video accompanying our lead article. The cover and video artist is John Bejko <johnbejko@comcast.net>.

Å Our new editor for the print edition is Blaine Pugsley. It will be obvious by inspection of print and internet editions of this issue why we made the switch to internet for our primary publication. For one obvious example, the video has no print counterpart, yet illustrates in pictures the material that looks rather technical and can only be imagined by readers of the print edition. However, thanks to Blaine, we will still have a print edition for those without convenient internet access. The downside is that the greater number of pages and the smaller print runs have increased the cost of the print edition substantially.

Å Our feature article is more about the exploded planet hypothesis. In previous issues, we summarized evidence for the basic hypothesis, for its success in making genuine predictions that distinguish it from the many mainstream hypotheses it would replace, for possible mechanisms for explosions, and for aiding our understanding of the solar system. Put into context with fission theory for the origin of planets and moons and tidal theory, a picture of a dynamic, often changing solar system emerges. It now appears the original system had 12 major planets of which six remain. Six major planets and many major moons have since exploded. Tidal stresses appear to be the trigger for these events. The piece of this puzzle we examine in this issue is the violent history of Mars as a former moon of now-exploded Planet V, then as a companion of twin moon “Body C” until the latter exploded too. The article converts that scenario from general inferences to hard dynamics and gets specific about whether, how, and under what conditions it is possible. A few surprises turn up along the way – some of which have the potential to be the substance of astronomy texts of the future. If you look at nothing else, don’t fail to download and view the 4-minute video linked just before the Appendices.

Å In this premier open access issue, we review how Meta Science came about, what distinguishes it from mainstream science, and how it maintains such an excellent record of predictions.

Å Meta Science in the News begins with a note about a quasar so old and loaded with iron that only rather ludicrous ad hoc patches can save the Big Bang’s interpretation. Next is a short overview of fission theory from a 2000 paper. The third note is about why resistance to new ideas is seemingly inevitable even while slowing scientific progress to a crawl on the pretense of keeping out erroneous theories. And the fourth links to a new YouTube video of our 2001 press conference in New York City about the Mars anomalies.