False rumors about the end of the world in 2012 have been commonplace on the Internet for some time. Many of these rumors involve the Mayan calendar ending in 2012 (it won’t), a comet causing catastrophic effects (definitely not), a hidden planet sneaking up and colliding with us (no and no), and many others.

The world will not end on December 21, 2012, or any day in 2012.

Unfortunately, these rumors have many people frightened, especially children. NASA has received thousands of letters concerned about the end of the world. David Morrison, a planetary astronomer and senior scientist for NASA who answers questions from the public about astrobiology, says, “At least a once a week I get a message from a young person ― as young as 11 ― who says they are ill and/or contemplating suicide because of the coming doomsday.”

According to NASA, the old mystery-planet-collision rumor year was 2003, but when 2004 arrived safely, the rumors changed to 2012. So what end-of-the-world year will the rumor mill make up next?

Videos from NASA debunking end-of-the-world rumors:

Related posts:

  1. Statement on World Asthma Day 2012 – May 1, 2012 On World Asthma Day 2012, we at the National Institutes of Health stand with the Global Initiative for Asthma to renew our dedication to improving the quality of life for the millions of people living with asthma....
  2. Medicare Card, Statement on World Malaria Day — April 25, 2012 On World Malaria Day, we stand at a critical juncture in our efforts to control a global scourge. This year’s theme “Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria” stresses the crucial role of continued investment of resources to maintain hard-won gains. Lives have indeed been saved....
  3. Statement on World Pneumonia Day November 12 is World Pneumonia Day, a day set aside to raise public awareness of the millions of childhood deaths that pneumonia causes each year and to encourage efforts to prevent and treat this deadly disease....
  4. World Asthma Day: NIH research advances help people with asthma Today, the National Institutes of Health joins with public health officials, health organizations, and patient groups around the world to recognize World Asthma Day....
  5. Medicare: Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2012 The Social Security Administration has announced that monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 3.6 percent in 2012. The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with the January 2012 benefit payments. Increased payments for people on SSI will begin on December 30, 2011. For some beneficiaries, the increase in their […]...
  6. An Out-of-This-World Competition What useful things can be shot into the stratosphere? Budding scientists and engineers are being invited to figure that out. Tomorrow is the deadline for the annual BalloonSat High Altitude Flight competition. U.S. high school students propose science experiments that are launched high above the earth, using weather balloons as satellites. Projects have included light […]...
  7. Meeting Summary, Outreach Partnership Program 2012 Annual Meeting: Overview In March 2012, nearly 90 researchers, national partner organizations, and Outreach Partners from every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico met in Denver, Colorado for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Outreach Partnership Program Annual Meeting. The Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide initiative of NIMH’s Office of Constituency Relations and Public […]...
  8. Medicare Open Enrollment Ending Shortly Each year plans change what they cost and what they cover....
  9. Medicare, Statement from NIDDK Director Griffin P. Rodgers for National Diabetes Month, World Diabetes Day The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), an initiative of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is pleased to recognize November as National Diabetes Awareness Month and Nov. 14 as World Diabetes Day. This year, NDEP is raising awareness about the importance of preventing type 2 diabetes by focusing […]...
  10. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, has died Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, has died. He was 82-years old. Remarks from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden: On behalf of the entire NASA family, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Carol and the rest of Armstrong family on the passing of Neil Armstrong. As long as […]...
  11. World Freedom Day Today is World Freedom Day, commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. After the fall of the wall, borders opened, and free elections took place in eastern Europe. The Cold War seems so distant to me now, even though it is recent history. Who could forget President Ronald Reagan’s famous “Tear […]...
  12. 2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 43 ending October 31, 2009 During week 43 (October 25-31, 2009), influenza activity remained elevated in the U.S....
  13. Erin Wilson, a NASA engineer Erin Wilson, a NASA engineer, adds aluminum tape to electrical cables to protect them from the cold during environmental testing of special optical equipment. These tests will verify the alignment of flight instruments that will fly aboard NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Photo by Chris Gunn, NASA...
  14. Ending overpayments to private insurance companies that cost all Medicare beneficiaries The federal government pays private insurance companies on average 14 percent more for providing coverage to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries than it would pay for the same beneficiary in the traditional Medicare program....
  15. Video Contest for Teens and Young Adults For the Surgeon General’s Video Contest on Tobacco, teens (13-17) and young adults (18-25) are invited to submit original videos in which they speak up about tobacco and tell us why they aren’t using it. The deadline for submissions is 11pm EDT April 20, 2012. Prizes range from $500 to $1,000....