Is December 21, 2012 the End of the World? Scholars, NASA Say No

Find out what the experts are saying about the Dec. 21, 2012, Doomsday prophesies, the end of the Mayan calendar and their potential impact on the Southland.

Don’t make any rash decisions: Experts say 12/21/12 is going to be just another typical winter solstice. x Killer solar flares aren’t expected. Another planet isn’t on a collision course with ours. And the Mayan “long count calendar” ending on this date has no real significance – they had to end it somewhere! What is All the Fuss About? There are a number of theories and predictions that call for earth’s demise on Dec. 21, 2012. They include: What are the Experts Saying? The intrigue created by multiple end-of-the-world predictions has made many scholars and even NASA stand up to make statements debunking the claims. From professors at Tampa Bay’s own New College to the scientific minds at NASA, they’re all saying the same thing: Go ahead …

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Venus Transit: Rare Astronomical Event Happening Tuesday at Sunset

This is the only time in your life you can see it--but don't damage your eyes by looking directly at the sun.

The Transit of Venus, a rare astronomical event that won't occur again until 2117, will start this afternoon around 5 p.m. and be visible while the sun is prominent in the sky. The phenomenon happens when Venus' orbit brings it between the sun and Earth, and Huffington Post Science explains how it occurs and why it's been valuable to astronomers in gaining knowledge about the solar system. In Chicago, the Adler Planetarium will host a viewing event from 4 p.m. to approximately sunset at 8:22 p.m.  Like a solar eclipse, the American Academy of Opthalmology cautions not to look at the sun directly, as that could damage the retinas of your eyes, and harm your vision. To view the Transit of Venus safety so you don't burn your eyeballs out, the…

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PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: Police Chief Dies, Special Ed Cuts and NASA Flight

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

District 122 Working to Determine Education Plans for Special Needs Students NASA Selects L-W North Teacher for Sky-High Adventure UPDATED: Tinley Park Police Chief Was "All Heart," Funeral Monday UPDATED: Funeral Set for Annabella Loerop, 4, Killed by Car in Tinley Park Fitzgerald: Top 'Cat Once Was Nothing More Than a 'Pioneer'

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Harnew Students Hitch Ride on Space Shuttle

A poster bearing the signatures of Harnew Elementary School students will be stored on the Discovery for its final mission into space.

When the space shuttle Discovery blasts off for its last mission on Wednesday, a little piece of Harnew Elementary School will go with it. A poster bearing the signatures of all 607 students at Harnew, along with signatures from senior administrators and school board members from Ridgeland District 122, Oak Lawn's mayor and village trustees, and a couple of Chicago Blackhawks, is being stored aboard NASA's Discovery for its last flight into space. Harnew is one of 500 schools from around the world to be represented on the STS-133 mission, and the only school from Illinois. Trying to spark students' interest in the space program last May, Harnew Principal Tom O'Donnell told students to research the space shuttle on the Internet. "I went on …

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Lorraine Swanson

8:22 pm on Friday, February 11, 2011

That's very cool, Karina. Thanks for reading Patch. I hope you come back often.   more ›