Mayan Calendar 2012: End Of World Predictions and Myths, True Or False?

While predictions regarding the end of the world on Dec. 21 through the Mayans' calendar have long been spoken about, many are understandably begging to differ. Hence, the million-dollar question on the minds of some is whether or not the theory on the apocalypse will be proven correct.

The Mayan doomsday is said to be based on calculations from their very own calendar cycles. However, NASA scientists are coming forward to say that the ties to the respective calendar itself aren't 100 percent accurate as they take into account a planet called Nibiru, which the Mayans claim will collide with the Earth.

Scientists feel as though the Mayans' predictions are incorrect because they didn't have the necessary technology in the 21^st century to support their argument.

According to NASA, "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." 

The scientists also elaborated on a concept called the "long-count period," which they feel has brought on an immense amount of confusion.

"Just as the calendar you have in your kitchen wall does not cease to exist after December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012," NASA added. "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."

The space agency is stating that the Mayans aren't basing their assumptions off of an accurate calendar but one that isn't related to any planetary alignments.

John Carlson, director of the Centre for Archaeoastronomy at the University of Maryland spoke to International Business Times about his own opinions on the end of the world phenomenon.

"I often get asked what's going to happen on this day. I say lots of things are going to happen. Some people will be born. Some people will die. A car headlight will burn out. There will be earthquakes, like there are every day. And none of this will have anything to do with the ancient Mayan calendar."