Autumnal Equinox at the UMass Sunwheel
You are invited to witness the passing of the seasons by joining Dr. Judith Young of the UMass Amherst Department of Astronomy to watch the Sun rise and set over the tall standing stones in the UMass Sunwheel for the Autumnal Equinox of 2007. The sunrise and sunset events will be held on both Saturday & Sunday, September 22 and 23. Visitors for the sunrise viewing should arrive at 6:45 a.m., and visitors for the sunset viewing should arrive at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
These events will not only celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, but also mark the 10th anniversary of the Sunwheel gatherings. During the past decade, over 8,000 members of the public have attended the seasonal Sunwheel events.
For those interested in learning about the sky, there will be a presentation which will include the significance of the solstices and equinoxes, the cause of the seasons, the changes in the Sun's position in the sky during the year, the phases of the Moon, and the story of building the Sunwheel. There will also be an explanation of the Moon's 18.6-year cycle, since 2005-7 is the peak of this cycle, also called the Major Lunar Standstill. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and dress warmly for cool temperatures when te Sun is down; the gatherings typically last an hour.
A $3 donation is requested to help with the cost of the additional stones and exhibit expansion which are planned for the Sunwheel. Sunwheel T-shirts & sweatshirts will also be available for purchase.
Teachers: Earn PDP's when you attend the seasonal sunrise and sunset gatherings at the UMass Sunwheel. For more information, contact young@astro.umass.edu
Directions & Parking
The UMass Sunwheel is located south of Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road. It can be reached from the center of Amherst, following Amity St. to the west. After crossing University Dr. at the light, continue on Rocky Hill Rd. for about 1/4 mile, and make your first right onto Stadium Dr.