How about some interesting astronomy and archeo-astronomy reads this weekend? This week’s picks will take you all the way from Peru to Colorado.
Peruvian Citadel Is Site Of Earliest Ancient Solar Observatory In The Americas
Inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021, the 13 towers of Chankillo is believed to be the oldest solar observatory on both American continents. The Chankillo solar observatory is
“an outstanding example of ancient landscape timekeeping, a practice of ancient civilizations worldwide, which used visible natural or cultural features. Incorporated in the Thirteen Towers, it permitted the time of year to be accurately determined not just on one date but throughout the seasonal year. Unlike architectural alignments upon a single astronomical target found at many ancient sites around the world, the line of towers spans the entire annual solar rising and setting arcs as viewed, respectively, from two distinct observing points, one of which is still clearly visible above ground. The astronomical facilities at Chankillo represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.”
– UNESCO, Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Upset at losing an hour from Daylight Saving Time? Just imagine losing 10 days
In 1582 the people of the Iberian Peninsula lost 10 days when King Phillip II adopted the Gregorian calendar for Spain. The article gives a very nice and succinctbackground on the history of the calendar change process.
Archeologists are still trying to decipher the mysteries of the Sun Temple situated at the Mesa Verde National Park.
Stellar Antiquity 
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