The end of 2009 is nigh, and the Great Beyond is signing off for another year.

And what a year! If you feel like reliving any of the moments, Nature has a host of end of year specials for your festive entertainment, whether it be the news that made the headlines in 2009, the pictures that defined the year, the end of year podcast, or an update on some of the years most intriguing stories you’ll find all that and more.

And thanks to you, our readers, we have a round up of the most popular Great Beyond blog posts.

All that remains is for us to wish you a wonderful festive season, and a happy New Year. We’ll be back in full swing January, but if anything major happens in the meantime fret not, we’ll be covering it.

Cheers!