There are apocalypse predictions and dates that point to 2012 as the year of the "end of the world" or the start of a new age. The ancient Mayan calender ends on December 21, 2012. The Maya have predicted a galactic alignment between the center of the milky way and the winter solstice sun in 2012. Only recently have scientists proved this to be accurate. 2012 is also the end of the solar maximum of the sun. This solar maximum may mean solar storms. There are many predictions and modern astronomy behind the year 2012 and what may happen in that year.

The ancient Maya are known for their knowledge in mathematics and astronomy. Through their calendar, they have foreseen events. For instance, the Conquest of Alexander the Great and when their own civilization would fall.This was proven to be accurate in 1541 AD when the Spanish put an end to Mayan civilization. The Mayans had a "long count" calendar that covers 5,125 years. This calendar started on August 13, 3114 BC and abruptly ends on December 21, 2012 AD. The Mayans believed this to be the end of an age. According to this, scholars agree that the calendar will start over resulting in a new age. However, the fact that other civilizations, such as the Hopi Indians and Nostradamus see some sort of climax in 2012, suggests that something even greater may happen.

The Maya have told us that the earth will undergo a galactic alignment. The planets will align in a way that only happens every 26,000 years. The northern hemisphere of the earth will align with the center of the milky way galaxy (a band of stars and planets) and the winter solstice sun. Some scientists believe that the gravitational pull of the sun and the center of the milky way will cause the earth to do a polar reversal. This pull will be caused by the milky way's gravitational pull on the earth. The poles will change direction. However, scientists are not exactly certain that this will happen. The date for this is the winter solstice of December 21, 2012. The outcome of this is unknown but one thing is known. This will be the first time in human civilization for such an alignment to occur. This is also remarkable because the galactic alignment coincides with another event relating to the sun that may happen.

2012 is also the end of the sun's solar maximum. The sun goes on an 11- year cycle and releases a burst of energy at the end of each cycle. These bursts of energy are called solar flares.These, if near the earth's ozone layer (magnetic shield) can wipe out satellite and other wireless communication in some parts of the world. Solar flares can cause solar storms. The last huge solar storm was in 1958. The next solar maximum in 2012 is expected to be 30-50 percent stronger than the last one in 2001. It is possible that if the solar flares go near the earths ozone layer, a person may be able to see visible sun spots in some parts of the world.

The year 2012 holds a lot of mysteries about our future and the world's future. Even if we see world catastrophe or spiritual awakening in 2012, 2012 is the most important date since the beginning of humankind because of what is predicted in and around the year. It is important that we continue to live our lives regularly waiting for what the year 2012 will bring mankind.

"Time is not at all what it seems; it does not flow in only one direction,
and the future exists simultaneously with the past."
~ Albert Einstein

About Author / Additional Info:
My name is Alexander Major and i am very interested in Bible Prophecy and Eschatology.