Crop Circles In the incredible world of unexplained phenomenon, crop circles are in their own class. Pleasing to the eye and challenging to the mind, they have spawned online galleries, photo books, new mathematical concepts, and advanced circuit design. Computers, using the formations as visual symphonic scores, have even generated music. Almost every country on Earth has been used as a green canvas, and as far as can be determined, every work is unique. Domestic crops are not the only setting for anomalous circles, however. Snow banks, ice ponds, sand, and entire forests have been altered. Over 10,000 circles have been recorded in recent years, worldwide, with the circles averaging 150 feet in diameter.
A Hoax By Hoaxers
As with all paranormal activity, there is controversy about the source. To many, the crop circles are no longer a mystery, they are obviously manmade. This stems from a widely publicized admission in the 1990s by two retired gentlemen in Hampshire, UK, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, that they were the crop circle makers/hoaxers and they tried to prove it by demonstrating how they accomplished the feat using boards and ropes. No explanation was given for the many doubts raised by their story such as how they were able to create up to 30 in one night over a radius of over 200 miles. No hint was given how, in one year, they could have produced over 200 circles with precision measurements accurate to 1/4 inch over 1000 feet in total darkness. Also, not explained, was how, in some instances, they were able to produce the anomaly in ten seconds, undetected, in full view of eyewitnesses. Their claim, however, received worldwide publicity and to this day is considered by many as the final explanation.
This unfortunate case by two very savvy publicity gluttons cast a shadow over interest until the public was educated about the major flaw in their argument. Contrary to popular belief, trampling, breaking or bending the stalks of the plants affected does not make crop circles. The stalk of each plant is softened by heat at a precise point by an, as yet, unidentified force which causes the entire stalk to collapse. This same force, with incredible mathematical detail, lays the entire flattened area in interwoven, swirled layers.
Mathematical Marvels
The increasing complexity and obvious advanced nature of the circles has amazed scientists who, though obviously interested in the creators, find intense interest in the manner mathematical formulae are incorporated in the designs. The beauty of these intricate formations is evident to all who see them, but to the mathematical mind there appears a deeper beauty. Perfect geometric designs are the norm and incredibly accurate measurements over thousands of feet awe even the most complicated minds. Consistent mathematical ratios are associated with the designs and Julius sets, related to the science of fractals, appear in ever more complex series. New areas of science and mathematics are being created by the phenomenon.
Overnight Wonders
Most crop circles materialize overnight, while only a few have appeared during the day. One rather intricate pattern, literally across the road from Stonehenge, is known to have formed in under an hour, in broad daylight. Spread over hundreds of square miles, as many as 30 arrays, some being as wide as 4000 feet, have appeared in one night. No small accomplishment, considering it is all done in the dark.Read more...
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