No, Virginia, the world is not going to end on 12/21/12

Never fear, the world is not going to end on 12/21/12.

This is actually the date of the winter solstice. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. Because it is predictable, the people of the earth have created stories about the solstice to help them understand this phenomena. Because scientists in the modern era are able to explain the solstice, the shortest day of the year, it is no longer a mystery.

The "End of the World 2021" scare is a just myth, perpetrated by an internet hoax that blends cosmology, the study of the universe and its formation, and cultural stories. Even NASA has issued a statement debunking this claim.

Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere

So, if you want to see something really cool, just check the clock when the sun rises, and again when the sun sets on Friday, December 12, 2012, to see how long the day was. The sun is setting at its most southern degree of latitude below the equator on this date. Then do the same on December 22nd. You will find that the day is longer on the 22nd as the sun begins setting at a more northern degree of latitude until it is at its most northern degree of latitude on the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year.

Summer Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere

Isn't science cool?!