Ecliptic/Galactic Plane Angle:

I'm not a great proponent of the 2012 galactic blast from the centre for several reasons, but we live in strange times and shields may be down so perhaps we should not completely rule out the possibility...be a nice bonus if it happens. In the event we are coming upon this and the hype is real, it may be worth bearing in mind that the plane of the planets is at a 60 degree angle to the galactic plane, in other words depending on whether the solar system is rising up past this GP or descending down past it in its orbit, the leading edge will dip or ascend in line with the GP a fair time before the planets do. The planets nearest to the leading edge of the solar system in their orbits will also align before those furthest from the leading edge. If we see planets really lighting up out there...it may be a sign that its coming this way. It doesn't necessarily mean that Mars will show signs ahead of things here, Mars may be behind us in its orbit, the same applies to all other planets.
You can check this angle on planetarium software by seeing where the ecliptic crosses the mean line of the Milky Way, some software will show a galactic equator. If you are lucky enough to have good skies and the Milky Way is easily seen, and you know what path the planets take across the sky, then you can see the angle that way. Jupiter is traversing the
sky at this time, early evening...see where this planet crosses the centre line of the MW.
(Those that are paid lots of money to research these things say the angle is 62.8 Degrees.)
Apologies to those that know this already...some may not.