Expert: Solar Activities Showing No Signs Of Apocalypse

Jakarta, Dec 20 (ANTARA) - Astronomical experts have brushed aside the ancient Mayan prophecy on the Apocalypse on December 21, 2012, saying there are no signs of unusual solar activity. "There have been no large solar explosions and everything seems normal," National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) head Bambang Tedjasukmana said here on Thursday. He made the statement after visiting the solar observatory in Tandjung Sari. "A warning signal will be transmitted within eight minutes of a solar explosion," Bambang stated. Therefore, he called on all Indonesians to not worry about having to face the Apocalypse on December 21. �The sun has a quiet period and an active period. The active period comes every 11 years and the cycle was supposed to start this year,� Bambang explained. "We have not seen any significant solar activity so far this year, but solar storms and flares are likely to occur during this active period," he added. A solar storm would lead to a lot of large solar explosions but would have no impact on Indonesia. "The effect can only be felt in the polar regions, which may see electricity transformer failures due to strong electromagnetic interference," Bambang said.