Shripal Nishshanka Fernando

(Kindly be informed that this article will only bring forward some facts and information about the predicted Doomsday of December 21, 2012 and does not support or rule out any kind catastrophic event to take place on the earth on that day).

What is so important about December 21, 2012?

Most precisely accurate the Long Count Calendar of the Ancient Mayans (Mayan Calendar) ends on Dec 21 2012. Nobody knows what the Mayans thought would occur in 2012, but the consensus of opinion is that there will be great change.

And what is it based on? Primarily, it’s based on an ancient Mayan “long count” calendar, carved on stone, which according to calculations ends on December 21, 2012 and marks the end of a 5,126-year era. Without a doubt, the ancient Mayans were remarkable mathematicians and astronomers, but can we really take this “prophecy” seriously? First of all, it’s not even a prophecy. It happens to be when their long count calendar ends. Why should that hold any significance for us?

The second reason proponents of this coming apocalypse say it is on its way is that in 2012 there will be an alignment of sorts with the center of our galaxy. Because the Earth wobbles slowly as it rotates (once about every 25,800 years) the sun will appear to rise in alignment with the center of the Milky Way. Interesting, yes, but there seems to be no cosmological evidence of any kind that this should have an effect on our planet, physically, socially or even spiritually.

The third reason touted is that the sun is scheduled to be at a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-solar maximumƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ in that year, a time when sun spots and solar flares are very active. This kind of activity really can cause problems. Such activity can disable and damage satellites and can have a dramatic effect on the EarthƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s weather. The schedule is based on past patterns of such activity, but we have no way of knowing whether it will happen in 2012, and if it does how severe it might be.

Many peolple consider that a catastrophic event may have been predicted.

Watch the YouTube video;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aPNcUJuiLY&feature=player_embedded#!

THE MAYAN CALENDAR

TheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mayan calendarƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is not actually a single calendar that westerners are used to referencing today.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is actually a complex system of multiple calendars used in conjunction.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Two calendars used in conjunction are the TzolkƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢in and the Haab.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The TzolkƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢in calendar consists ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  260 days.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Haab consists of 365 days.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The combined use of these calendars creates a cycle of 52 Haabs (52 years) and is referred to as the Calendar Round.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Small cycles of 13 days (Trecena) and 20 days (veintena) exist as well.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Aztec Calendar

The above photograph isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Aztec Calendar, on display at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Mexico City, Mexico.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The original object is a 12 feet, massive stone slab, carved in the middle of the 15th century. Many renditions of it exist and have existed through the years and throughout Mexico.

Another calendar used to track longer periods of time is referred to as the Long Count.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This calendar is used to track dates relative to each other on a linear scale and utilizes a numeric decimal system to record dates.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

For example, the Mayan date for December 21, 2012 is 13.0.0.0.0.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The long count cycle referred to as the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Great CycleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ lasts for 5,125.36 years.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Correlating that to the Gregorian calendar used by most people in the world today, the starting date of the current long count cycle is August 11, 3,114 B.C.

Another interesting cycle is the precession of the equinoxes lasting approximately 26,000 years.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The long count of 5,125 years is 1/5 of that cycle.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  December 21, 2012 marks the end of the Long Count and Precession Cycle.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A fascinating astronomical occurrence will take place that day.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The sun will be seen in a conjunction with the crossing point of the galactic equator and the ecliptic which is referred by the Mayans as the Sacred Tree.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Since this is due to take place on the winter solstice, this should provide clear evidence that the proper end day of the Mayan calendar is December 21, 2012.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Some say December 22nd, 23rd or even other dates.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  However, the solstice was an important day to the Mayans and it is logical to think that they would conclude their calendar cycle on this day, coupled with the fact of the rare astronomical occurrence set to take place that day.

Overall, the Mayan calendar system is amazing and complex.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is the most accurate calendar system ever invented by anyone.

There is zero scientific evidence that anything will happen, but there are numerous things that could easily threaten the human species in the year 2012, such as a geomagnetic reversal, asteroid strike or supernova. Or something more intimate, like a flu pandemic, or a nuclear war.

Some people have predicted the following catastrophic events on December 21, 2012;

• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Earth collision with Asteroid/Meteor/Comet
• Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from our SunƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Magnetic Pole Shift
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Explosion from the black hole at the center of our galaxy
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Religious Apocalypse
• Alien InvasionƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Gamma Ray Burst (GRB)
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Crustal Displacement
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Cosmic Rays
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚·ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Flu Pandemic
• Nuclear War / WW3 / Biological
• ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ SupervolcanoƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• Rise of the MachinesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• Global WarmingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• Time Travel ErrorƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• NanotechnologyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• Nearby SupernovaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
• Genetic Modification
• Nuclear Accident
• Ice Age
• Solar System Falls Apart (butterfly effect)
• Large Hadron Collider

Excerpts from NASA regarding 2012 Doomsday

2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won’t End?

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Remember the Y2K scare? It came and went without much of a whimper because of adequate planning and analysis of the situation. Impressive movie special effects aside, Dec. 21, 2012, won’t be the end of the world as we know. It will, however, be another winter solstice.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Much like Y2K, 2012 has been analyzed and the science of the end of the Earth thoroughly studied. Contrary to some of the common beliefs out there, the science behind the end of the world quickly unravels when pinned down to the 2012 timeline. Below, NASA Scientists answer several questions that we’re frequently asked regarding 2012.

Question (Q):ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Are there any threats to the Earth in 2012? Many Internet websites say the world will end in December 2012.
Answer (A):ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nothing bad will happen to the Earth in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Q:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What is the origin of the prediction that the world will end in 2012?
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The story started with claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is headed toward Earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012. Then these two fables were linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice in 2012 — hence the predicted doomsday date of December 21, 2012.

Q:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Does the Mayan calendar end in December 2012?
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Just as the calendar you have on your kitchen wall does not cease to exist after December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012. This date is the end of the Mayan long-count period but then — just as your calendar begins again on January 1 — another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar.

Q:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Could a phenomena occur where planets align in a way that impacts Earth?
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There are no planetary alignments in the next few decades, Earth will not cross the galactic plane in 2012, and even if these alignments were to occur, their effects on the Earth would be negligible. Each December the Earth and sun align with the approximate center of the Milky Way Galaxy but that is an annual event of no consequence.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

“There apparently is a great deal of interest in celestial bodies, and their locations and trajectories at the end of the calendar year 2012. Now, I for one love a good book or movie as much as the next guy. But the stuff flying around through cyberspace, TV and the movies is not based on science. There is even a fake NASA news release out there…”
– Don Yeomans, NASA senior research scientistQ:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Is there a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru or Planet X or Eris that is approaching the Earth and threatening our planet with widespread destruction?
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nibiru and other stories about wayward planets are an Internet hoax. There is no factual basis for these claims. If Nibiru or Planet X were real and headed for an encounter with the Earth in 2012, astronomers would have been tracking it for at least the past decade, and it would be visible by now to the naked eye. Obviously, it does not exist. Eris is real, but it is a dwarf planet similar to Pluto that will remain in the outer solar system; the closest it can come to Earth is about 4 billion miles.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Q:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What is the polar shift theory? Is it true that the earthƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s crust does a 180-degree rotation around the core in a matter of days if not hours?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A reversal in the rotation of Earth is impossible. There are slow movements of the continents (for example Antarctica was near the equator hundreds of millions of years ago), but that is irrelevant to claims of reversal of the rotational poles. However, many of the disaster websites pull a bait-and-shift to fool people. They claim a relationship between the rotation and the magnetic polarity of Earth, which does change irregularly, with a magnetic reversal taking place every 400,000 years on average. As far as we know, such a magnetic reversal doesnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t cause any harm to life on Earth. A magnetic reversal is very unlikely to happen in the next few millennia, anyway.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Q:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Is the Earth in danger of being hit by a meteor in 2012?
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Earth has always been subject to impacts by comets and asteroids, although big hits are very rare. The last big impact was 65 million years ago, and that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Today NASA astronomers are carrying out a survey called the Spaceguard Survey to find any large near-Earth asteroids long before they hit. We have already determined that there are no threatening asteroids as large as the one that killed the dinosaurs. All this work is done openly with the discoveries posted every day on the NASAƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ NEO Program Office website, so you can see for yourself that nothing is predicted to hit in 2012.

Q:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ How do NASA scientists feel about claims of pending doomsday?
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ For any claims of disaster or dramatic changes in 2012, where is the science? Where is the evidence? There is none, and for all the fictional assertions, whether they are made in books, movies, documentaries or over the Internet, we cannot change that simple fact. There is no credible evidence for any of the assertions made in support of unusual events taking place in December 2012.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Q:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Is there a danger from giant solar storms predicted for 2012?
A:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Solar activity has a regular cycle, with peaks approximately every 11 years. Near these activity peaks, solar flares can cause some interruption of satellite communications, although engineers are learning how to build electronics that are protected against most solar storms. But there is no special risk associated with 2012. The next solar maximum will occur in the 2012-2014 time frame and is predicted to be an average solar cycle, no different than previous cycles throughout history.

Nostradamus andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 2012

Did Nostradamus agree with the Mayan calendar about a coming change?

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nostradamus

Recently the History Channel aired a two-hour documentary on the prophecies of Nostradamus and how they might relate to 2012. It is another in the growing heap of information, theories, fears, warnings, enlightenment and anxiety about the year 2012.

There was the hysteria over the millennium and Y2K. And of course various religious cults have named date after date when the world would surely end, all of which came and went without so much as a hiccup.

Most probably 2012 will be no different.