Today is solstice, the shortest day in the northern hemisphere, the longest day in the southern hemisphere, and one of those dates precisely marked by many different prehistoric astronomical observatories, because it marks the start of winter (or summer, depending on which hemisphere you are in).
Winter Solstice 2006 at Stonehenge. Photo by Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images
Known solstice observatories include Newgrange (Ireland), Chankillo (Peru), Building J at Monte Alban (Mexico), and of course many others, but of course you probably already know that solstice celebrated by the makers of Stonehenge. I love this photograph of the winter 2006 solstice at Stonehenge, from the photo essay on Stonehenge solstices. Happy solstice day!
Comments
This is also the day when some people think the world will end three years from now (the infamous 2012 date). I have added a post on why the Maya Long Count does not end on the winter solstice in 2012:
http://haecceities.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/2012-the-long-count-does-not-end-on-december-21-2012/
Heck, my calendar ends with 12/31/2009 but somehow I suspect the days will go on.
Nice picture!