Let’s Track the Sun!
Vernal Equinox Gnomon Celebration with Tony Hull
Saturday March 23, from 10-3 PM
Placitas Community Library will observe the Vernal Equinox (just a few days after the Equinox) with astronomer Tony Hull. Beginning around 10am you are, once again, invited to place stones marking the path of the sun’s shadow from the tip of a pole (called a Gnomon). Twice a year, on the Equinoxes, seeing the straight line of stones created to mark the Gnomon’s shadow is special indeed and quite different from other days of the year. The placing of stones to create this pattern will continue approximately every 20 minutes throughout the day. Join us at any time. You are encouraged to bring a few special small stones (2”-3” in diameter) to place to mark the progress of the sun’s shadow.
Tony Hull left NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to lead a team of 60 in shaping of all the Webb telescope mirrors, over a five-year effort. Having then sold his house in Southern California, Tony bought his present house in Placitas. He says this was his refuge and hope at times during ongoing, grueling 80-hour work weeks. Tony is an Adjunct Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UNM.
Click here for the flier.