Expert: Courtney Seligman - 1/14/2011

Question
Hello,
So many societies have used astronomy to establish time and calendar.
I have read, that circa 12/21/2012, all the planets in our solar system will line up perfectially to the epicenter of our galaxy.
If this postulate is consistent with astronomy realities, which of the many societal calendars is/was most correct?
And what would you attribute their accuracy to?
Thanks.
nerol

Answer
The quote you have read about 12/21/2012 is a hoax. The planets will not be lined up with anything, even each other, on that date. The only part of the hoax that is correct is that the Sun will be more or less in that direction on or about that date; but that doesn't mean anything, because it is in that direction once every year (or more accurately, once each year the Earth is in the opposite direction, so we see the Sun in that direction).

I apologize for the brevity of this answer, but I have an exam in half an hour, and don't have time to go into more detail right nopw. If you would like a further discussion of this topic, just let me know.