"Nostradamus: The Truth" and "Doomsday 2012: End of Days" - Reveal the Science Behind Centuries of Speculation airing on Discovery Channel

Your days are numbered - if the predictions of ancient oracles and soothsayers are to be believed. Discovery Channel presents two new back-to-back specials that explore the roots - and disturbing accuracy - of centuries' old prophesy.

First, "Nostradamus: The Truth," premiering Sun., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, offers a revealing portrait of one of the most acclaimed seers the world has ever known: Nostradamus. A 16th century mystic, he predicted major world events, including the rise of Napoleon, both World Wars, the Apollo moon landing, and even the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center - but what's next? Premiering Sun., Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, "Doomsday 2012: End of Days" explores how various cultures have remarkably arrived at the same consensus when predicting the end of the world - just five years from now - on December 21, 2012. Passing up tea leaves for technology, see how today's seers - and skeptics - are testing the prediction.

Highlights from "Nostradamus: The Truth" and "Doomsday 2012: End of Days" include:

"Nostradamus: The Truth"
Sun., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT

This one-hour special tells the true story of Nostradamus, uncovering the myths and speculations that surrounded the life of this legendary figure. He battled against anti-Semitism and the Inquisition to become the confidante of some of the most powerful and dangerous figures of his time. Nostradamus was a man who tried to ignore his "visions" but, forced by poverty and prejudice, he decided to capitalize on them. It was this fateful decision that would bring him into conflict with the establishment, as well as a poisonous rival who would stalk him throughout his life. In the end, the rise and fall of dynasties would rest on his words.

Doomsday 2012: End of Days
Sun., Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT

There are various prophecies and oracles from around the world that seem to point to December 21, 2012 as Doomsday. The ancient Mayan Calendar, the medieval predictions of Merlin, the Book of Revelation and the Chinese oracle of the I Ching all forecast this specific date as the end of civilization. A new technology called "The Web-Bot Project" undertakes massive scans of the Internet as a means of predicting the future... and this new technology has turned up the same dreaded date: 2012. Skeptics point to a long history of "failed Doomsdays," but many oracles of doom throughout history have a disturbingly accurate track record. As the year 2012 ticks ever closer, this one-hour special speculates whether there are credible reasons to believe these doomsayers.