OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- The Chabot Space and Science Center is preparing to unveil a new planetarium show this week based on the Mayan calendar.
Renewed public interest in Mayan culture and its calendar prompted the space center to create the "Tales of the Maya Skies" show, which opens Nov. 21.
KCBS’ Dave Padilla Reports
Astronomer Ben Burris said the Mayans were advanced in language, art, mathematics and astronomy, and were known for predicting the motion of planets.
The show debuts alongside the feature film "2012," which claims that the Mayan calendar predicts the world will end that year. But Burris said the Mayans did not predict the end of the world.
"The date coming up in 2012 means the end of the calendar cycle for them; a 5,125 year period, and the beginning of another," said Burris, who likens it to the Y2K switch and the fear it generated.
NASA has also added information to its Website to debunk any fears that the world will end in a few years.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
DW.pageParams = {
siteId: '255'
};
DW.clear();
DW.trackClicks();
