# New Era for our Solar System on 2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 1, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302 "2005-10-01T03:57:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jsmith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jsmith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsmith)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/21 "2005-10-01T17:35:09Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > I’m sorry to waste an otherwise entertaining thread with a GQ, but did they actually burn their possession? Are there evidences of it? I have a Mayan friend that says it so it must be true. He has lived near Tulum his entire life. Also, he speaks very good English so no chance of misinterpreting him. Ok, I am joking. I tried searching on google and I am unable to find a scholarly source that confirms this. I found a couple of individuals on the internet who make the same claim but perhaps they talked to the same Mayan I did. I have a cheesy little book I bought at the ruins of Tulum simply titled “Tulum” with no date, printing or copyright infomation that makes the same claim. Just to clarify I don’t mean they burned their temples, religous artifacts, or books (generally). Perhaps this is all a conspiracy the present day Mayans like telling visitors. I think if they did they hid all the evidence by burning it. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/22 "2005-10-01T18:32:38Z")
[The Master speaks.](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_042.html) So when we enter the Photon Belt, I get your stapler, right? ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/23 "2005-10-01T18:39:53Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Besides, everyone knows the Apocalypse will be in the year 2030. Ah, so **robardin’s** Ouija board is off by 18 years. That sucks, calibrating a Ouija board is a pain in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/24 "2005-10-01T20:35:07Z")
You aren’t supposed to _sit_ on that little tripod doodad. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/25 "2005-10-01T20:43:55Z")
> [@jsmith](#): > > …The Mayans believed that they would be entering a new age of understanding and elightenment in 2012. Perhaps, there are some great inventions that will be discovered in 7 years… Probably we are talking about the [technological singularity](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity). ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/26 "2005-10-01T21:08:40Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Y’know, we used to try to answer the question before we broke out in gales of laughter and began rolling around on the floor holding our sides. Not really. Both the threads you linked to have a plenty of joking (or ridiculing of other posters) before anyone essayed much of a substantive answer. With questions such as these, the rule is generally ridicule _first_, answer _second_, which is after all Cecil’s SOP. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/27 "2005-10-01T23:58:39Z")
> [@saletlx](#): > > Dear Friends, does anyone knows the truth about the new phase that our solar system will supposedly enter at the end of 2012 matching the end of the Mayan Calendar? > > People say we will enter an era of light after thousands of years in dark universe. > > Kind Regards, Holy cow! Just what is the cycle of the Mayan calendar? (I guess itll be time for each Mayan to buy a new calendar, huh?) ---
**Author:** ![saletlx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@saletlx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saletlx)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/28 "2005-10-02T00:02:56Z")
well, my friends … I really wasn’t looking to know when the end of the world would be … I just would like to know if we are scientifically entering a photon belt and if anyone knows for certain that if our solar system goes around a bigger one, that’s it … because the certainty that our solar system and planet will aline it self on the winter solctice of 2012 it’s for sure I truly beleive on the mayan astronomy … but the thread is… are we going to be living in this capitalism so superficial still ??? Regards, ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/29 "2005-10-02T00:06:40Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > Holy cow! Just what is the cycle of the Mayan calendar? (I guess itll be time for each Mayan to buy a new calendar, huh?) And, as usual, they’ll be changing it again before the Inca’s dry. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/30 "2005-10-02T00:15:59Z")
> [@saletlx](#): > > I just would like to know if we are scientifically entering a photon belt and if anyone knows for certain that if our solar system goes around a bigger one, that’s it … We are definitely not entering any kind of “photon belt”; our solar system definitely is not orbiting a bigger one; see **Fish’s** link for Cecil’s column on the subject. > [@](#): > > because the certainty that our solar system and planet will aline it self on the winter solctice of 2012 it’s for sure I truly beleive on the mayan astronomy … I’m not sure what this means exactly, so I can’t respond to it in detail. However, there is no evidence that the long-term Mayan calendar cycles correspond to any aspect of the Earth’s or the Sun’s astronomical movements with respect to other parts of the galaxy (the nature of which the Mayans were completely ignorant of), nor that anything in particular will happen on the winter solstice of 2012, aside from the winter solstice. > [@](#): > > but the thread is… are we going to be living in this capitalism so superficial still ??? In all probability, yes. In fact, if anything by 2012 it will be even more superficial. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/31 "2005-10-02T00:17:14Z")
> [@saletlx](#): > > I just would like to know if we are scientifically entering a photon belt That would be a no, Bob. > [@saletlx](#): > > are we going to be living in this capitalism so superficial still ??? Colorless green ideas masturbate furiously. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/32 "2005-10-02T00:19:59Z")
First things first with the Maya. They have 2 calendars - the Calendar Round and the Long Count calendar. In 2012 the Long Count calendar reaches the end of the current baktun or katun (I forget which one)\*. The Calendar Round doesn’t end - ever. When the long count calendar ends, it would just be reset, AFAIK. Here is a pretty good site on the Maya calendar systems: [The Classic Maya Calendar and Day Numbering System](http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~mills/maya.html) \*On review it is Baktun. ---
**Author:** ![saletlx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@saletlx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saletlx)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/33 "2005-10-02T05:43:27Z")
I appreciate your answer COLIBRI Regards, ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/34 "2005-10-02T17:33:16Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > snip\* > Colorless green ideas masturbate furiously. I want the above sentence showing up on every bumper sticker and replacing every motivational poster in every office. ---
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/35 "2005-10-02T18:16:33Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Colorless green ideas masturbate furiously. > [@vivalostwages](#): > > I want the above sentence showing up on every bumper sticker and replacing every motivational poster in every office. I agree. It neatly answers the question, “Why is a mouse when it spins?” ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/36 "2005-10-02T22:09:54Z")
It pleases me that I can buy an inflatable solar system for only $29.95. Sheep are just too small for me these days. I wonder what economic system we’ll move to after we move to a higher vibrational plane? I’m betting something cool where the base monetary unit has the word “quantum” in the name. Like “Quantum Star Dollars” or something. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/37 "2005-10-02T22:16:15Z")
And I just bought long-life, energy saving bulbs for the whole house. Man, am I going to look stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/38 "2005-10-02T23:06:04Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Besides, everyone knows the Apocalypse will be in the year 2030. Now how’d YOU know that. It was supposed to be a secret! ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/39 "2005-10-02T23:15:23Z")
> [@Jake](#): > > Now how’d YOU know that. It was supposed to be a secret! You wouldn’t believe the s\*\*\* I know. For example, that human sacrifices have to be made with a stone knife, which is why all those wankers out there with their cool-looking daggers never get any results. Heh; fortunately, no one takes me seriously or the Secret Masters would be **so** pissed with me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302/40 "2005-10-03T04:50:13Z")
In case anyone’s wondering, the 26,000 year cycle that webpage manages to so completely mangle is the cycle of precession of the Earth’s axis. By that cycle, it is true that we are now or will be soon (depending on where exactly one draws the constellation boundaries) entering the Age of Aquarius. But this is a phenomenon entirely local to our own solar system (particularly to the Earth, Moon, and Sun), and has no apparent connection whatsoever to human politics, sociology, or physiology. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-era-for-our-solar-system-on-2012/324302.md?page=3)