Syzygy by Frederik Pohl ISBN-13: 9780553205275 ISBN-10: 0553205277 Publication Date: 12/31/1982 Publisher: Bantam Books Paperback 4.15 x 6.9 inches, 249 pages Time: Eight Seconds Into The Future — Scientists and psychics are predicting eruptions and earthquakes that could devastate half the earth, caused by a rare conjunction of the planets. It's called SYZYGY. — PLACE: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A ruthless land speculator decides to make a quick killing by starting a panic. Then others cash in on the Syzygy Effect for their own greed: a crackpot cult preaching doom, a politician out for votes, a quack scientist out to make the headlines. Prognosis: Disaster When California is paralyzed by brushfires and flash floods, hysteria explodes. Only a dedicated scientist and a beautiful NASA astrophysicist can prevent massisve destruction. But they're up against forces that will stop at nothing to keep the truth from getting out.