Superstitions abound in 2012

For those of you fearful of the number 13, you may have a tough time in 2012. The 13th falls on a Friday more often this year, happening a total of three times. If that’s not strange enough, each Friday the 13th is 13 weeks apart! If we had celebrated the Julian New Year it would be 2765. This is based on the Julian calendar calculated from the date Rome was founded. Adjustments had to be made so the seasons related to the right time of year along with holidays. This new system evolved into the Gregorian calendar we use today.  Also, the spacecraft Phobos-Grunt will fall from orbit and most likely burn up in the Earths atmosphere. There is no real danger for earthlings as most of the craft will burn up during reentry. And don’t miss what’s in the night sky this week. All this and more on this week’s Sky Talk.[audio: st20120109.mp3]