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2012 Mayan Calendar 'Doomsday' Date Might Be Wrong

Posted by samzenpus on from the 60-day-reprieve dept.

astroengine writes "A UC Santa Barbara associate professor is disputing the accuracy of the mesoamerican 'Long Count' calendar after highlighting several astronomical flaws in a correlation factor used to synchronize the ancient Mayan calendar with our modern Gregorian calendar. If proven to be correct, Gerardo Aldana may have nudged the infamous December 21, 2012 'End of the World' date out by at least 60 days. Unfortunately, even if the apocalypse is rescheduled, doomsday theorists will unlikely take note."

9 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. So then by acrobg · · Score: 5, Funny

    The apocalypse that won't happen Dec. 21, 2012 is now expected to not happen on Feb. 19, 2013...got it.

    1. Re:So then by The+Wooden+Badger · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually it is a year earlier than previously thought. December 12, 2011 is when my daughter can get her driver's license.

      --
      Heroscape, it's like legos combined with anachronistic wargames.
  2. It probably said... by geogob · · Score: 3, Funny

    Jan. 1, 2000, 00:00 GMT

  3. Math error plus translation problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    December 21, 2012 is actually the Mayan "Year of the Linux Desktop."

    So enjoy your couple of months on top.

  4. Repent? Who, me? by snookerhog · · Score: 2, Funny

    so this means another 60 days of total debauchery? cool

  5. I am so glad! by formfeed · · Score: 2, Funny
    Pointing out that the end ( or roll-over) of a calendar system doesn't cause the world to end, would still not have prevented people from panicking.

    But now it turns out the date was off! Great news! Finally news anchors have a real story to report.

  6. In a way, the Mayans were correct. by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 5, Funny

    In a way, the Mayans were correct. After all, whether the date is 2012 or 2013, the Maya did correctly predict that by that time the Maya would have no further need for a Mayan calendar.

  7. Re:Actually they didn't by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    How could they have predicted it? Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition!

  8. More than 60 days by gmuslera · · Score: 2, Funny

    New calculations will push it further to April 1st, 2013