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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Through a Sun Tunnel
NASA ^ | December 22, 2011 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 12/22/2011 7:55:27 AM PST by SunkenCiv

Explanation: Today the Sun stands still at 05:30 UT. Halting its steady march toward southern declinations and begining its annual journey north, the event is known as a solstice. In the northern hemisphere December's solstice marks the astronomical start of winter. And if you're in the Great Basin Desert outside of Lucin, Utah, USA, near solstice dates you can watch the Sun rise and set through Sun Tunnels. A monumental earthwork by artist Nancy Holt, the Sun Tunnels are constructed of four 9 foot diameter cast concrete pipes each 18 feet long. The tunnels are arranged in a wide X to achieve the solstitial sunset and sunrise alignments. In this dramatic snapshot through a Sun Tunnel the Sun is just on the horizon. The cold, cloudy sunset was near the 2010 winter solstice. During daylight hours, holes in the sides of the pipes project spots of sunlight on their interior walls, forming a map of the principal stars in the constellations Draco, Perseus, Columba, and Capricorn. Fans of planet earthworks and celestial landart should note that the Sun Tunnels are about 150 miles by car from Robert Smithson's (Holt's late husband) Spiral Jetty.

December 22, 2011

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; capricorn; columba; draco; perseus; science; solstice
[Credit & Copyright: Arne Erisoty]

1 posted on 12/22/2011 7:55:28 AM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: SunkenCiv

I come here expecting to see a colorful photo of some great astronomical event, and I see a sewer line.


2 posted on 12/22/2011 7:58:19 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...

Finally, we've bottomed out, and the days can start to lengthen again.


3 posted on 12/22/2011 7:59:15 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! May 2013 be even Happier!)
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To: blueunicorn6

You can sit in it and watch the sun come up? Might as well, everyone treats me like crap anyway.


4 posted on 12/22/2011 8:00:08 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: SunkenCiv

This maybe is someone at NASA making a point. Thanks. Looks like food for thought. Been used to eating from the sewer for ages. Someone at NASA has a great sense of humor.


5 posted on 12/22/2011 8:04:45 AM PST by no-to-illegals (Please God, Protect and Bless Our Men and Women in Uniform with Victory. Amen.)
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To: SunkenCiv

I can imagine one day in the distant future, the History Channel will be saying that these tunnels were placed there by aliens.


6 posted on 12/22/2011 8:09:59 AM PST by Venturer
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To: SunkenCiv

Good, I’m tired of dark thirty coming so early!


7 posted on 12/22/2011 8:25:15 AM PST by brytlea (An ounce of chocolate is worth a pound of cure)
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To: SunkenCiv

8 posted on 12/22/2011 8:41:33 AM PST by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet - Mater tua caligas gerit)
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To: Venturer
Image Hosted by ImageShack.usAncient Aliens?

Or....

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usAncient Ariens
9 posted on 12/22/2011 8:42:58 AM PST by cripplecreek (Stand with courage or shut up and do as you're told.)
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To: cripplecreek

You’ve done it. You’ve convinced me.


10 posted on 12/22/2011 8:45:36 AM PST by null and void (Day 1065 of America's ObamaVacation from reality [Heroes aren't made, Frank, they're cornered...])
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To: SunkenCiv

I can see the same view if I aim my .22 peep sight at the morning sun.


11 posted on 12/22/2011 9:09:22 AM PST by lurk
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To: SunkenCiv

Pipehenge


12 posted on 12/22/2011 12:16:40 PM PST by Blogatron (Brought to you by The American Frog Council; 'Frog - The other green meat')
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To: blueunicorn6

Oh, poor you! Everybody hates you today? Well, look on the bright side. You’ll save all sorts of money not buying Christmas presents.


13 posted on 12/22/2011 1:06:07 PM PST by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list)
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