10:30 EASTERN TIME -- 9:30 Central -- 8:30 Mountain -- 7:30 Pacific
I just heard on the radio that the U.S. has asked that everyone step
out on their lawns tonight at 10:30 and light a candle. They will be
taking a satellite picture of the U.S. and posting it on the news
tomorrow morning.
Please pass this on to as many people as possible.
Email text contributed by VISI, 18 September 2001:
Tuesday, September 18, 2001 9:52 AM
Subject: FW: Light a Candle Tonight
10:30 EASTERN TIME.... 9:30 Central, 8:30 Mountain,7:30 Pacific
I just heard on the radio that the U.S. has asked that everyone step out on
their lawns tonight at 10:30 and light a candle. They will be taking a
satellite picture of the U.S. and posting it on the news tomorrow morning.
Please pass this on to as many people as possible.
Email text contributed by Reggie, 18 September 2001:
Broadcasted on the Radio:
To: People in The U S A
From: Nasa
This message originated from an
individual at NASA : U.S. has asked that everyone step out on their lawns tonight
(Tuesday September 18th) and light a candle.
They will be taking a satellite picture of the U.S. and posting it on the news
tomorrow morning.
Light your candles at:
10:30 Eastern
9:30 Central,
8:30 Mountain,
7:30 Pacific
Please pass this on to as many people as soon as possible.
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.
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