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Credit & Copyright: Stéphane Guisard
(Los Cielos de
America,
TWAN)
Credits: D. Flores and B. Pichardo (Inst. Astronomia UNAM), P. Sánchez and R. Nafate (INAH)
Explanation:
Welcome to the December
solstice, a day
the
world does not end ... even
according to the Mayan Calendar.
To celebrate, consider
this dramatic picture
of Orion rising
over El Castillo, the central pyramid at
Chichén Itzá, one of the great Mayan centers on the
Yucatán peninsula.
Also known as the Temple of Kukulkan it stands 30 meters tall
and 55 meters wide at the base.
Built up as a series of square terraces by the pre-Columbian
civilization between the 9th and 12th century,
the structure can be used as a calendar and is noted for
astronomical alignments.
In fact, the Mayans were accomplished astronomers and mathematicians,
accurately using the cyclic motions of the stars,
Sun, Moon, and planets to measure time and
construct calendars.
Peering through clouds in this night skyscape,
stars in the modern constellation Orion the Hunter
represented a turtle in the Mayan sky.
Tak
sáamal.
Credits: D. Flores and B. Pichardo (Inst. Astronomia UNAM), P. Sánchez and R. Nafate (INAH)
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: solstice
Publications with words: solstice
See also: