• Question: will the world end in 2012?

    Asked by mohammadz12345 to Audra, Fiona, Gavin, Justin, Steve on 11 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by preven123456789, hedgehog8, sammybowden, milenaw, denisa.
    • Photo: Fiona Hatch

      Fiona Hatch answered on 9 Mar 2012:

      The answer to this depends on who you are speaking to. The doomsday idea, which is that the world would end on December 21st 2012 was started by people who study “Eschatology” which is a greek word for the “study of the last”. If you asked them this question they will answer with a yes – their proof for this is a calender that was started by a group of people 5125 years ago. This calender has a cycle where after 5125 the world will apparently end.

      As a scientist I look for proof and facts and consider possibly theories if you can show that they might be truthful. From what I have looked up, I do not believe that the world will end in 2012. I expect to live for many years after!!

      And you will still have to go to school in 2013! Sorry 🙁

    • Photo: Justin Lawley

      Justin Lawley answered on 11 Mar 2012:

      I am sure many religions and faiths have a spesific date which when they believe the world will end. However, is the fact or fiction. Well. Many previously predicted appocolipses have been and gone and the world is still here. Unless there is some “good” evidence then I woldn’t go blowing all your pocket money just yet. Interestingly watch out for 2013. There is an asteroid hurtling towards us at 7 kilometres a second but scientists have been watching it for ages and say it will miss. But if somehow it changes it’s trajectory (angle) then it might be coming our way. It’s not a world ender but it would do some damage.

    • Photo: Gavin Devereux

      Gavin Devereux answered on 11 Mar 2012:

      I’m afraid I can’t answer the question… but… there are some very clever people (and computers) placed all over the world, that calculate the probability of such an event happening. They watch our solar system for a living (and do a bit of maths and physics). Try looking up some of the international astronomy research centres and societies online. Even if you don’t find anything directly discussing that topic, you’ll probably come across some amazing information.

      Make sure you search for astronomy, and not astrology. Otherwise, you might just come across some bloke who was on Strictly Come Dancing. He can’t help you either 🙂

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