Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Through a Sun Tunnel

NASA ^ | December 22, 2011 | (see photo credit)

[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.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit & Copyright: Arne Erisoty]

[blueunicorn6]

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

[SunkenCiv]

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

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[blueunicorn6]

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

[no-to-illegals]

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.

[Venturer]

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

[brytlea]

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

[JoeProBono]

[cripplecreek]

Ancient Aliens?

Or....

Ancient Ariens

[null and void]

You’ve done it. You’ve convinced me.

[lurk]

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

[Blogatron]

Pipehenge

[TheOldLady]

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