Blackout hoax

It's as predictable as the hands of a clock. Almost immediately after an historic event someone somewhere will manufacture a hoax related to it. Remember the photograph of the man on top of the World Trade Centre with the plane in the background heading straight for him?

Now, so soon after the Great Blackout of 14-15 August 2003, this photograph is being circulated on the internet. It purports to be a satellite photo of North America showing the blacked out portion of the continent. I received this from a family member via e-mail.

Well, it's a hoax, as indicated at this urban legends and folklore website. The blacked out area is just a little too dark -- darker even than the oceans and our own northern territories.